Two “certificates” were printed on each wrapper from individuals who are notorious for giving testimonials in the guise of certificates of analysis. The only fact certified was that the powders were “free from any injurious substance,” in which medical opinion will scarcely support the writers.
The estimated cost of the drug (60 grains) in a packet is one-eighth of a penny.
The same Company also supplies “Head powders prepared by Daisy, Ltd.,” the wrappers being printed in such a way that careful inspection was required to distinguish these from the powders sold as “Daisy powders.” The “head powders” were found to consist of phenacetin only.
CURIC WAFERS.
These so-called wafers, also put up by an English Company, are recommended as a “safe and certain cure for headache, toothache, and neuralgia”; stated to be prepared “from the Prescription of an Eminent West-End Physician.”
The “wafers” consisted of ordinary cachets, with the name of the article embossed on one face. They contained the medicaments in the form of powder. The package contained 12 wafers for 1s. 1½d. The average weight of the contents of one wafer was 8·2 grains, but that of the contents of individual wafers in a package varied from 7·3 to 9·3 grains. Analysis showed the composition of the powder to be:
| Acetanilide | 3·28 | grains |
| Phenacetin | 3·28 | ” |
| Caffeine citrate | 1·64 | ” |
Directions for taking the wafers were given, but it was not stated whether the dose is one or more.
The estimated cost of the drugs (98·4 grains) in a packet is nine-tenths of a penny.