Authorities differ widely regarding the amount of phosphorus contained in nuclein from different sources, the figures ranging from 2.9 per cent. to as high as 10 per cent. If the nuclein from which iodonucleoid purports to be made contained but 2.9 per cent. phosphorus, the preparation, after allowing for 24 per cent. iodin, should still contain 2.2 per cent. phosphorus instead of the 0.79 per cent. found by analysis. A true nuclein should contain no calcium. If iodonucleoid is a casein compound of iodin we might expect to find, if the casein had been freed from milk by acidulation without further purification, both calcium and phosphorus. The equivalent weight of casein is given by Long (Jour. Am. Chem. Soc., 1906, xxviii, 372) as 1124. This figure was obtained on a casein of high purity, and the figure of 1013 given above agrees fairly well with Long’s figure for casein. The evidence, therefore, indicates that iodonucleoid is a compound of iodin and casein, and not a nuclein compound.
The findings of the laboratory were at that time submitted to Prof. John H. Long of Northwestern University, who said:
“We have also made a number of examinations of iodonucleoid. We determined in it the iodin and found the amount 24.2 per cent. by weight, which is a little more than that claimed by the manufacturer. We have also tested the solubility of this substance and find it to behave about as your laboratory did. As you know, we have been making a number of preparations from casein, and recently we have determined the combining power of casein with various acids, including hydriodic acid. This acid when evaporated in moderately strong solution with casein yields finally a hard, dry mass, which may be ground up to a powder resembling very closely the preparation under discussion. Various amounts of iodin may be combined here, depending on the strength of the iodin solution used, and we have secured some containing over 35 per cent. of iodin. Several of these preparations resemble closely iodonucleoid, so far as solubility, appearance and reaction with alkalies on titration are concerned. I am unable, therefore, to distinguish this preparation from the casein compounds which we are making.”
From this it would appear that iodonucleoid is not a compound of nuclein, as indicated by the name, but instead is a casein compound of iodin.
Iodonucleoid, then, seems to be another one of the many iodin “substitutes” which have been put on the market. Other iodin substitutes are Iodalbin, manufactured by Parke, Davis & Co.; Iodipin manufactured by E. Merck & Co., and Sajodin, manufactured by the Farbenfabriken of Elberfeld Co. As these products have been examined by the Council and found eligible for inclusion with New and Nonofficial Remedies, physicians who wish to use substitutes for potassium iodid would do well to use them instead of a product presented under a misleading name. Physicians should understand, however, that these organic iodin compounds are non-irritating because the iodin is held in such combination that it is much less active. It seems probable that they are therapeutically active only to the extent that the iodin content is dissociated from the organic compound and concerted into ionic iodin.
A discussion of a number of iodin substitutes is found in an article by von Notthafft (Monatsh. f. prakt. Dermat., Oct. 15, 1910, p. 343), which was abstracted and commented on in The Journal, March 4, 1911, p. 685. Von Notthafft believes that the lower degree of toxicity which these remedies exhibit has its basis in a feebler activity; either the substitutes evolve too little iodin or they split it off with greater difficulty. Physicians should, therefore, view with some distrust the claims of manufacturers that their products are not only non-irritating but at the same time possess unusual therapeutic efficiency. This will apply with especial force if there is any tendency to conceal the nature or origin of the combination.—(The Journal A. M. A., July 22, 1911.)
IRIDIUM
Dr. C. A. Dexter, Columbus, Ga., asks for information concerning the use of iridium in the treatment of acute and chronic rheumatism. Iridium is a well-known element although we have not found that it has been used as a medicine; however, we presume our correspondent refers to “Iridium (Medicinal),” sold by the Platinum Company of America. We are not able to locate this company, but in their advertising circular “Iridium (Medicinal)” is said to be “an agent for the blood, a laxative, an alterative, indicated in all disorders of the stomach, in Jacksonian epilepsy,” and “a specific in rheumatism.” As to its origin, it is said in the circular, “the platinum sands are associated with and composed of iridium” and some other elements, so that as far as the circular gives information the nostrum is alleged to contain the element iridium.
A few statements quoted from the circular will show that the person who wrote it knows nothing about medicine and cannot correctly use the English language: “The qualifications of Medicinal Iridium are its simplicity, purity, harmless under prolonged use, easily borne by the stomach.” “It has been observed that when Medicinal Iridium acts as a laxative, it will regulate the same.” “Called the family group, Iridium and Osmium are destined to become the world’s benefactors in medicinal properties, thereby creating a new chapter in medical science.” The circular quotes some supposed “excerpts from hundreds of letters on file, written by physicians, in the hope that they may attract your attention,” which bear marks of having been written by the same person who wrote the circular. Note the quality of the following statements: “Iridium has a power, purity and simplicity that pleases me; now I can make progress.” “I say to you frankly, Iridium is my standard. I can get results and make progress. I am confident it aids the fibrin in the blood.” “Dr. X is pushing Iridium on five or six cases.” It is not explained who Dr. X is, but it has this to say about him: “Dr. X is an eminent practitioner. He has made a remarkable record with Iridium and has so far never failed on cases of Jacksonian epilepsy; experimental tests have shown that Iridium increases blood-corpuscles.”