| Mercuric Chlorid | 0.0463 gm. | in 100 c.c. |
| Mercuric Nitrate | 0.0450 gm. | in 100 c.c. |
| Glycerin | 1.3021 gm. | in 100 c..c. |
| Nitric Acid | 1.0265 gm. | in 100 c.c. |
| Water (by difference) | 98.5545 gm. | in 100 c.c. |
From the above it appears that Noitol is simply a weak, acid solution of mercury salts—the total being approximately equivalent to a 1 to 1,000 bichlorid of mercury solution—exploited under a meaningless name. It is but one more example of the old, old story of a well-known remedy being sold at a high price under a name which is in no way indicative of its composition, and under claims which are absurdly false.
The price of the mixture is $2.00 a pint; the estimated cost, exclusive of the container, is about 6 cents a gallon, or, put another way: the price of a pint bottle, it is estimated, would make a barrel (31 gallons) of the nostrum. The incorrect statement concerning its components, the unwarranted therapeutic claims made for it, and the exorbitant price easily place Noitol in the front rank among the “patent medicine” frauds. Yet it is advertised to physicians as an ethical proprietary and is evidently being prescribed by them.
Anadol
In the circular matter accompanying the trade package of the preparation, “Noitol,” described above, a preparation called “Anadol” is described. Anadol is claimed to be an analgesic and antipyretic. In the descriptive circular there is no information concerning the composition of the preparation, but from the general therapeutic description the physician might easily be led to believe that “Anadol” is a distinct chemical substance.
To reduce temperature the physician is advised to push the administration of Anadol in 10 grain doses until the febrile condition is under control or until a maximum of 70 grains of the preparation has been ingested. The circular further states:
“... in this lies the special value of ANADOL; there are no annoying by-effects; the stomach bears the remedy well and neither circulation, respiration, nor the nerve centers show the least disturbance.”
As no evidence could be obtained concerning the composition of Anadol and, as the preparation is being brought to the attention of physicians by means of circulars in connection with the distribution of Noitol, it seemed worth while to take up its examination in the Association laboratory. Accordingly a trade package of the material which had passed into interstate commerce was purchased.
Qualitative tests demonstrated the presence of sodium, a carbonate, caffein and acetanilid, the latter in considerable quantities. Analysis[99] indicated that the composition of the specimen examined is essentially as follows:
| Acetanilid | 79 | per cent. |
| Caffein | 1 | per cent. |
| Sodium bicarbonate | 20 | per cent. |