“The lying-in-room should be thoroughly sprayed with Germiletum. Can be relied upon to destroy the living particles which so generally constitute contagion.”
This claim, as well as the assertion which appears on the label of a sample package and of the “small size” trade package that it is “PAR-EXCELLENT IN OBSTETRICAL PRACTICE” is almost criminal, as Fussell[60] has said, since to depend on any preparation of this sort is to court disaster.
The booklet around the trade package makes the claim that Germiletum “is the best antiseptic”—evidently largely because it is claimed to be “the blandest of all”—and that it is “thoroughly germicidal” and even that it is “the best disinfectant obtainable.” It also contains such unwarranted and misleading claims and suggestions as:
“... preparatory to all operative work—Germiletum should be used freely in spraying the atmosphere ...”
“Operative wounds, whether large or small, can be rendered thoroughly antiseptic by freely spraying them with Germiletum....”
“... it may be given internally in many dyspepsias and in all zymotic diseases.... In such conditions Germiletum is the ideal internal antiseptic and disinfectant.”
In the present advertising, no evidence whatever is offered for the value of Germiletum, the Dios Company contenting itself with unsupported claims and cant phrases such as
“... the truth is only reached through a final appeal to intelligent practical experience.”
In the old circulars only crude, uncritical and meaningless tests to establish the antiseptic value of Germiletum are reported and none whatever as to its germicidal action. In the advertising matter sent out some time ago, for instance, were given “Microscopical, Bacteriological and Chemical Tests, Comparing Germiletum with Carbolic Acid.” These tests have no value whatever, unless it be to show the worthlessness of the preparation. This is particularly true as regards a series of experiments on “Germiletum as a Preventive of Lactic Fermentation,” in which one part of Germiletum in thirty parts of milk did not prevent fermentation. Such effect as indicated is probably due to the formaldehyd present. The tests show the absurdity of using the preparation for internal and external purposes. The referee challenges the therapeutic claims on the basis that they are extravagant and unsubstantiated. (The Chemical Laboratory of the American Medical Association reports that the alkalinity of Germiletum corresponds approximately to a 1 per cent. borax solution.)