Unguentine, manufactured by the Norwich Pharmacal Co., is one of those remedies whose advertisement for years always included “a formula”; more recently, however, this is not in evidence. In an advertisement which appeared about ten years ago, the “formula” given is:
“Carbolic acid | 2 | per cent. | |
“Ichthyol | 5 | per cent. | |
“Alum | 15 to | 16 | per cent.” |
It was claimed that, by a special process of their own, the manufacturers had eliminated most of the astringent properties of the alum, rendering it non-irritant. It was also stated that “the base of Unguentine is pure petrolatum.” Later the manufacturers seem to have changed the composition of their product, or at least the “formula” given in the advertisements was changed. Thus it appeared:
“Alum | 15 | per cent. |
“Zinc oxid | 5 | per cent. |
“Carbolic acid | 2 | per cent. |
“Ichthyol | 5 | per cent. |
| “Aromatics and antiseptic oils with specially prepared petrolatum and animal fat base.” | ||
The introduction of zinc oxid, aromatic and antiseptic oils and animal fat was a new feature. Somewhat later, and particularly since the passage of the national Food and Drugs Act, no formula or other statement regarding the composition seems to have appeared in the advertisements in the medical press. In the 1906 price-list (p. 170) the following formula appears:
| “Unguentine represents: | ||
“Alum (non-irritating) | 15 | per cent. |
“Phenol | 2 | per cent. |
“Ichthyol | 5 | per cent. |
“Zinc oxid | 5 | per cent. |
| “Aromatic and antiseptic oils, with especially prepared petrolatum and purified animal fat.” | ||
In the price-list issued for 1908—after the Food and Drugs Act went into effect—the following appears:
“Unguentine represents:
“Alum compound (non-irritating)
“Phenol,
“Ichthyol,
“Zinc oxid,
“Aromatic and antiseptic oils, with especially prepared
petrolatum and purified animal fat.”
Thus the proportions are omitted, and alum becomes “alum compound,” whatever that may mean.
In view of the conflicting statements made by the Norwich Pharmacal Company, in regard to their leading specialty, Unguentine, and especially because much stress was laid on the filing of their “guarantee” under the Food and Drugs Act, it was decided to ascertain of what Unguentine really consists.