There is another little matter which throws an illuminating side-light on the Anasarcin Company. They take every occasion to say that Anasarcin is “not offered to the laity,” “never sold to the laity,” etc.; but witness the following, which was found in the Retail Druggist of May, 1906, p. 179. The italics are ours.
CURE FOR DROPSY.
“As every druggist knows, dropsy has been one of the incurable diseases when caused either from heart, liver or kidney trouble. A pharmacist in Winchester, Tenn., has worked out a remedy called Anasarcin, which he is exploiting to the physicians, and his remedy is showing itself as possessing great merit. Several hopeless cases have been treated as a last resort by Anasarcin and in a very short time the patient has shown marked improvement and has effected permanent cures.
“The result of the cases as handled by the physician with the aid of Anasarcin has been so easily and quickly cured that physicians of Tennessee and the southern states are high in their praises of the remedy. The company which now manufactures and sells it is known as the Anasarcin Chemical Co., of Winchester, Tenn. Any druggist who knows of a case of dropsy would be conferring a favor on the patient and mankind in general by telling the party or his physician of the southern pharmacist, and we have no doubt but what a prompt relief and permanent cure would be affected.” [Probably means effected.—Ed.]
Anedemin
If we are disposed to doubt the vaunted scientific ability of the Anasarcin Company, we are forced to admire their business methods, at least, if there is any truth in the saying that imitation is the seal of success. Anasarcin has had this rather undesirable compliment paid to it, for its native town of Winchester has given birth to another remedy, Anedemin, which looks like a fair-haired twin brother. The Anedemin Company has adopted Anasarcin almost bodily. The name—“opposed to edema”—is about as close as the copyright laws permit. The pharmacologic and therapeutic claims agree almost literally with those of Anasarcin and contain the same exaggerations and dangerous misstatements. There is the same emphasis on free purgation with Epsom salts. The dose is the same. Both are marketed at $2.00 for a box of 100—only the Anedemin people have adopted the prize package device of throwing in 20 or 30 tablets extra, for good measure, and give a discount of 75 cents or so.
Laboratory and Warehouse of the Anasarcin Chemical Company, Winchester, Tenn.
In short, the Anedemin Company has appropriated all of Anasarcin which they considered of any value. It is, therefore, rather suggestive that they drew the line at the formula. Anasarcin is said to contain squill, sambucus and oxydendron; Anedemin discards the oxydendron and reinforces the squill with strophanthus and apocynum. Notwithstanding this material change in composition, the actions are described as identical; this is again rather suggestive.