“—— is a mixture of resorcin and bismuth salts of phenic acids such as salicylates, etc., and an aromatic alcoholate. Its composition is as follows.
| Bismuth salts of phenic acids | 60 | per cent. |
| Aromatic alcoholate of bismuth | 20 | per cent. |
| Resorcin | 20 | per cent.” |
The product was recently analyzed in our chemical laboratory. The chemists report as follows:
“A specimen of Resor-Bisnol examined by us consisted of a light brown powder possessing a characteristic odor and a taste at first sweetish and then bitter. It was found to be only partially soluble in water. The examination indicates that Resor-Bisnol is probably a mixture consisting essentially of a basic bismuth salicylate (bismuth subsalicylate), a basic gallate of bismuth (bismuth subgallate), a basic compound of beta-naphthol (bismuth betanaphtholate) and resorcinol (resorcin).”
It thus appears that Resor-Bisnol is probably a simple mixture of well-known substances. In other words, the Resor-Bisnol advertising and literature are typical of that issued by various nostrum houses: it conceals the truth in a mass of semi-scientific verbiage, and while not frankly false, it deceives by what is left unsaid rather than by what is said.—(From The Journal A. M. A., June 1, 1912.)
ROBINOL AND SEVETOL
Revamping Discarded Theories for Commercial Purposes
It is astonishing how rapidly medical hypotheses become theories and theories are accepted for established facts, when such alleged facts are favorable to commercial enterprise. Yet, as a matter of fact, the manufacturers of proprietary preparations are under a moral obligation, at least, to tell the truth with reference to the scientific basis for their claims. To draw from exploded theories reasons for the use of proprietary preparations is reprehensible, not only because it may lead physicians to use preparations which are worthless, but also because it tends to confirm in the physician’s mind opinions which science has discarded.