SOME GERMAN NOSTRUMS.
Dr. F. Zernik, assistant in the Pharmaceutical Institute of the University of Berlin, undertook a short time ago, at the invitation of the Editor of the Deutsche Medicinische Wochenschrift, to report on some of the secret remedies which are thrown on the market in such numbers in Germany as well as England. It would appear that for the most part the remedies advertised in Germany are not the same as those most advertised in this country, but it is proposed in this and subsequent chapters to give some abstracts from the articles in which Dr. Zernik has from time to time reported the results of his examinations.
Dr. LAUSER’S COUGH DROPS.
Dr. Zernik found on analysis that these Cough Drops did not contain the ingredients alleged; there was for instance only 3·35 per cent. of alcohol, although the advertiser speaks of tinctures of 50 per cent. In addition to this small proportion of alcohol the mixture appeared to consist of a watery solution of liquorice, an infusion of senna root, some ammoniated solution of aniseed and small quantities of ammonium chloride.
REICHEL’S COUGH DROPS.
Reichel’s Cough Drops cost 1 mark for a bottle containing 65 ccm., about 2¼ fluid ounces. The purchaser is supposed to take 15 or 20 drops on sugar or in water four or five times a day. It is an alcoholic fluid, smelling and tasting of arnica, pimpinella, and anise.
TUSSOTHYM.
Tussothym, in spite of the wonderful qualities claimed for it by the firm producing it, proved to be a weak alcoholic distillate of thyme, diluted with water but probably containing another indifferent drug. It is advertised as good for all diseases of the respiratory organs, and especially for whooping cough.
Dr. B. ASSMANN’S
WHOOPING COUGH REMEDY.
This Whooping Cough Remedy is, according to the vendor, so complicated that it is only made by himself, and cannot be obtained elsewhere. The packet contains forty powders, twenty of which are marked No. 1, and twenty No. 2. The chemical analysis showed that each powder, weighing 2 grams, consisted of milk sugar (lactose). No other constituent was detected.