Wampole’s Preparation is another of the oil-free “extracts” of cod liver. The following formula (which, be it observed, is non-quantitative and therefore practically worthless) is published by the owners, Henry K. Wampole & Co., Inc.:
“Contains a solution of an extractive obtainable from fresh cod livers, the oily or fatty portion being afterward eliminated. This extractive is combined with Liquid Extract of Malt, Fluid Extract of Wild Cherry and Compound Syrup of Hypophosphites (containing Calcium, Sodium, Potassium, Iron, Manganese, Quinin and Strychnin).”
An alcohol content of 17 per cent. is declared on the label. The following claims are typical of those made for the preparation:
“This grease, or oil, is not present in Wampole’s Preparation of the Extract, which is palatable and, at the same time, very efficient as a stimulant to the centers of nutrition and assimilation. It is unsurpassed as a reconstructive tonic ...”
“[Cases] with a marked tendency to pulmonary troubles,... if a timely impulse be given them will easily shake off the impending evil. Wampole’s Preparation gives that timely impulse ...”
In the Council’s opinion, as previously expressed,[20] such therapeutic value as there may be in cod liver oil is chiefly, if not altogether, due to the fat (oil). Lately, the investigations of J. P. Street of the Connecticut Agricultural Experiment Station have definitely disproved the claims made for the Wampole’s and similar preparations. In Street’s experiments, rats were placed on a ration insufficient for normal nutrition and growth. After the rats had been on the ration for a time long enough for inability to maintain weight to become evident, dealcoholized Wampole preparation was substituted for a portion of the lard contained in the ration. Later the Wampole preparation was replaced by cod liver oil. From these experiments it appears that, although the Wampole preparation is said to contain malt extract and sugar, it does not show the advantage over ordinary cod liver oil as a source of nutriment which is claimed for it by the manufacturers. Street emphasizes that the Wampole preparation does not possess to any marked degree the reconstructive properties of cod liver oil, butter fat and egg yolk, on which foods rats gain weight rapidly and steadily after having been on a deficient diet. Street calls attention to the fact that the amount of alcohol consumed daily by the user of the Wampole preparation (the equivalent of 0.7 fluidounces of whiskey) explains to a considerable extent the asserted tonic virtues of the preparation.
Though offered as an efficient substitute for cod liver oil, Wampole’s “Perfected and Tasteless Preparation of an Extract of Cod Liver” lacks both the nutritive and the reconstructive properties and is marketed under an indefinite name and unwarranted and untrue claims. It is recommended that Wampole’s Preparation be held ineligible for New and Nonofficial Remedies.—(From The Journal A. M. A., April 10, 1915.)