“Under the influence of Vanadiol and the other derivatives, the appetite is increased, there is greater ability to peptonize ingested proteid material, and, through the improvement in the assimilative powers and the checking of abnormal fermentations, leads to an increase in weight. A greater excretion of urea follows their use. Phagocytic action is promoted by an increase in the leucocytes. All phases of the elimination of waste materials are favored by the positive increase in the number of red blood corpuscles and the percentage of hemoglobin, hematogenesis being thereby rendered more perfect. The beneficent effect of nascent (active) oxygen, upon the red corpuscles and upon tissue cells of low vitality are matters of common knowledge. The results obtained from the vanadium derivatives are not drug effects, but are due to improved metabolism, which in turn is due to the removal of microbian toxins, and the general stimulation of cell activity.

“In a tubercular organism, the action of Vanadiol is two-fold. First, it acts as an antiseptic and antitoxin, combating the Koch bacilli and neutralizing their poison. Second, as a reconstituent of the economy, to which it furnishes nascent oxygen, fortifying the defenseless cells by the very element that is necessary to make them healthy and resistant.”

“In Anemia and Chlorosis, the blood cells lack oxygen, and in Neurasthenia the nerve cells are deficient. Vanadiol brings both blood and nerve cells from a condition of weakness and decay into vital energy, by furnishing them with active oxygen in a manner that had not been possible by any other medicine.”

“Vanadiol accelerates the work of digestion by producing HCl in small doses; it does not hinder the peptonization of albuminoids as do beta-naphthol, salicylic acid, boric acid, etc., when used as a stomachal antiseptic, but on the contrary it favors, by hydrochloric acid, the transformation of albuminoids into peptone without the assistance of pepsin. Thus, Vanadiol, when given to consumptives, favors the digestion of large amounts of proteid materials and causes oxidation of toxins of the stomach. The stomachic action is reflected in other parts of the organism by the stimulation of the chief functions; the pulse becomes stronger and muscular strength increases; and, last, but of greatest importance, is the tremendous increase which will be noted in the hemoglobin and the red cell count.”

“Phospho-Vanadiol, a combination of Vanadiol with an easily assimilable organic phosphorus, is an active accelerator of general nutrition with a special action on the nervous system.”

Such remarkable statements as these are past credence, certainly, unless they are supported by scientific evidence. And evidence, either in support or in contradiction of the claims made, could be obtained; for many of these actions, at least, are capable of proof by animal experimentation. The Vanadium Chemical Company was asked to furnish such proof but failed to do so. The inference is plain! The committee has concluded that the company has not, and never has had, any reliable evidence on which to base the therapeutic claims it has presented to the medical profession.

Here another fact should be noted. It is the connection shown in The Journal, June 22, 1912, of the general manager of the Vanadium Chemical Company, F. M. Turner, with a fraudulent obesity cure concern, the Dr. Turner Company of Syracuse, N. Y.

It seems, moreover, by all the evidence available, that F. M. Turner is not authorized to use the title M.D.; yet, under this title his name appeared on cards representing the Vanadium Chemical Company and under this title, also, he published an article in a medical journal recommending to the medical profession the use of Vanadiol. Later this article was distributed as an advertising circular by the Vanadium Chemical Company. Turner’s connection with the Dr. Turner Company is known and acknowledged by the Vanadium Chemical Company, yet it still retains him as general manager!

While there is not necessarily any direct relation between the personnel of a proprietary manufacturing company and the value of that company’s product, it is natural that the medical profession should view with distrust any concern managed by one who has previously been connected with such a fraud as the Turner obesity cure.

The committee therefore recommends that the preparations of the Vanadium Chemical Company be refused recognition, and that this report be authorized for publication.​—(From The Journal A. M. A., Jan. 18, 1913.)