Pyo-Atoxin
Reg. in U. S. Pat. Office
(Capsules)
(Pheno-Methylene-Formate)
“Hurley”
An Antitoxic Agent Indicated in
Gonorrhoea, Cystitis, Pyelitis and
Bacteriuric Conditions.
DOSE: One capsule four to six times daily,
Followed by large glass of water.
Guaranteed by
H. O. Hurley,
Manufacturing Pharmacist,
Louisville, Ky.
Under the Food and Drugs Act, June 30, 1906
Serial No. 1710.

The pseudo­scien­tific synonym “pheno-methylene-formate” carries the idea that Pyo-Atoxin is a definite chemical substance. It is unnecessary to say that the term “pheno-methylene-formate” is a meaningless one and its use reminds one of those preparations exploited seven or eight years ago before the Council began to expose these mixtures masquerading as definite chemical compounds.

The chemical laboratory was asked to investigate this preparation and the following is a report of the chemists:

“The box contained thirty gelatin capsules coated with some black substance giving them the appearance of some of the popular gonorrhea nostrums. When the capsules were opened they were found to contain a powder—​about 0.35 gm. or 5 grains per capsule—​composed of large white or colorless crystals mixed with a smaller amount of a fine dark powder. The crystals when separated out and dissolved yielded the characteristic tests for hexa­methylen­amin. A solution of the entire capsule content was deep blue and responded to the U. S. P. tests for methylene blue.

“As a result of these and other tests it was concluded that Pyo-Atoxin consisted essentially of two pharmacopeial drugs—​hexa­methylen­amin and methylene blue. A quantitative determination of the constituents was considered unnecessary. From its general appearance and properties, however, the hexa­methylen­amin probably constitutes approximately from 60 to 80 per cent. of the preparation.”

It thus appears that the capsules contain a mixture consisting essentially of two well-known official substances, the value and particularly the limitations of which should be known by physicians by this time. This nostrum is simply another example of how physicians are being humbugged.​—(From The Journal A. M. A., Feb. 14, 1914.)

RESINOL

The Philadelphia branch of the American Pharmaceutical Association issued a pamphlet some two years ago in which the following appeared relative to Resinol and similar products: