The referee feels that the nostrum will have been sufficiently characterized when he has mentioned further that the name “Henry’s Tri-Iodides” is blown in the glass of the bottle, that the label contains the recommendation “For Gout, Rheumatism and other Diathetic Diseases,” and that the circular accompanying the bottle recommends the use not only of Tri-Iodides, but also of Three Chlorides, Maizo-Lithium, Campho-Phenique and Satyria in the treatment of many diseases.
Three Chlorides (Henry)
Three Chlorides (Henry) is advertised as:
“An oxygen-carrying ferruginous preparation, suitable for prolonged treatment of children, adults and the aged. Indicated in anemia and convalescence from acute diseases and surgical operations.”
The following report on the composition of Three Chlorides is submitted by the Association’s Chemical Laboratory:
LABORATORY REPORT
It is claimed that each fluidram of Henry’s Three Chlorides contains:
“Mercuric Bichlorid | 1-72 Gr. |
“Arsenic Chloride | 1-40 Gr. |
“Proto-Chloride Iron | 2-25 Gr. |
| “... in a cordial of Calisaya Alkaloids.” |
The preparation is a pale yellow, clear solution having an odor of alcohol. The addition of potassium ferricyanid solution does not produce any blue coloration, thus demonstrating the absence of ferrous chlorid (iron protochlorid). Instead potassium ferrocyanid solution produces at once an intense blue precipitate and potassium sulphocyanate solution an intense red coloration, thus proving the presence of iron in the ferric condition. It is obvious that the claimed superiority of Three Chlorides over preparations containing ferric iron is absurd. Since it contains iron in the ferric condition, Three Chlorides decomposes soluble iodids with the liberation of free iodin. The assertion that it is a suitable “vehicle” for the administration of iodids is likely to lead the physician unwittingly to administer free iodin.