The “system,” which has been very widely advertised, consists of Cuticura (Ointment), Cuticura Soap, and Cuticura Resolvent (liquid or pills); the ointment and the resolvent liquid were taken for analysis.
A booklet was enclosed in each package, containing, with other matter, directions for the use of the remedies in fourteen languages; from it the following extracts are taken:
In the treatment of torturing, disfiguring, itching, scaly, crusted, pimply, blotchy, and scrofulous humours of the skin, scalp, and blood, with loss of hair, the Cuticura Remedies have been wonderfully successful. Even the most obstinate of constitutional humours, such as bad blood, scrofula, inherited and contagious humours, with loss of hair, glandular swellings, ulcerous patches in the throat and mouth, sore eyes, copper-coloured blotches, as well as boils, carbuncles, sties, ulcers, scrofulous rheumatism, and most humours arising from an impure or impoverished condition of the blood, yield to the Cuticura System of Treatment in the majority of cases, when the usual remedies fail.... Parents are assured that these Remedies are composed of the purest and sweetest ingredients known to modern pharmacy, and may be used on the youngest infants with complete satisfaction.
Cuticura Ointment.—Price 2s. 6d. per box, containing 1¾ ounces.
Directions.... Cuticura Ointment may be applied to any part of the surface of the body by direct application with the finger, the palm of the hand, or spread on cotton, linen, or absorbent cotton, and covered with a light bandage, or by any means by which a remedy of this consistence would be used.
... in rare instances of individual tendency to acute eczema, acne, acne rosacea, erysipelas, and other highly inflammatory conditions, especially those affecting the face, it may act as an irritant, and hence those using it must observe what has been said in the foregoing directions in order that they may exercise judgment as to whether to continue it or not, should any unfavourable symptom present itself.
Examination of the ointment showed the absence of all metallic compounds, also of alkaloids or other active principles, and of saponifiable fat. It consisted of a mixture of hard and soft paraffins, slightly perfumed with rose, and coloured green. The chief green colouring matter present appeared to be an aniline dye, and a mixture of paraffins, coloured with a trace of malachite green and a little chlorophyll, agreed very closely with it in its properties. No other ingredient could be discovered.
The estimated cost of the ingredients of 1¾ ounces is ¾d.
Cuticura Resolvent.—Price 2s. 6d. per bottle, containing 6½ fluid ounces.
In the pamphlet quoted above it is stated: