The directions were as follows:
The Tablets must never be taken on an empty stomach, but either during or after meals (from 3 to 9 tablets daily). Taking the Tablet is facilitated by letting it soak first in a spoonful of water and drinking a little water afterwards. Any oppression of the stomach is soon relieved by 5 or 6 drops of dilute Hydrochloric acid taken in half a glassful of water.
As Genoform contains Salicylic Acid and that well-known drug for Rheumatism sometimes causes a little buzzing in the ears, if such buzzing ever occurs it is well to discontinue Genoform for 24 hours and afterwards take only a small dose for a day or so. It must be clearly understood that there is no possible harm or danger in such buzzing and few persons are so affected, but we think it wise to advise you lest you should think Genoform does not agree with you and discontinue its use.
The tablets had an average weight of 7·7 grains. They contained no free salicylic acid, but on hydrolysis with alkali they yielded 91·0 per cent. of that substance. Starch was present to the extent of 4·1 per cent., so that the material other than starch yielded 94·9 per cent. of its weight of salicylic acid. Salicyl-methylene-glycol ester CH₂(C₇H₅O₃)₂ would yield 95·6 per cent.; investigation of the other products of hydrolysis showed that this ester was the substance present; no other ingredient was found. On examination the substance proved to be hydrolyzed at once by alkali in the cold, but not by cold dilute acid; hot water caused slight decomposition, and on boiling it in water it readily yielded salicylic acid. The formula of the tablets is thus:
| Salicyl-methylene-glycol ester | 95 | per cent. |
| Starch (and moisture) | 5 | ” |
POST’S C. B. Q. TABLETS
FOR RHEUMATISM.
Two specimens of the proprietary article sold under the name of C. B. Q. have been examined at an interval of nine years. The earlier analysis showed that the tablets contained potassium iodide, quinine and colchicine in small quantities, a salicylate and extract of liquorice, used no doubt to bind the powder together. The analysis made in 1908 showed that of the tablets then examined each contained about 1½ grains of potassium iodide, a small quantity of salicylate, a vegetable extract, and magnesia. The extract was hygroscopic and the magnesia was no doubt employed to bring the mixture into a form suitable for tablet making. The extract was slightly bitter and the tablets contained a small amount of alkaloid, which was not certainly identified.
GOUT VARALETTES.
Analysis of Bishop’s Gout Varalettes showed the presence of lithium citrate and a small quantity of what appeared to be piperazine, together with the usual effervescing basis consisting of sodium bicarbonate and tartaric acid.