“Any physician who is not satisfied with the analysis we will be only too glad to furnish the complete analysis by our representatives.”
If this weirdly constructed sentence meant anything, it meant that the complete analysis would be furnished on request. Such requests to the company, however, from various sources failed to elicit the information required nor was the “complete analysis” forthcoming. The inference to be drawn is fairly plain.
In a circular accompanying the product as sold at present, this statement occurs:
WATERBURY’S METABOLIZED COD LIVER OIL COMPOUND With Creosote and Guaiacol or Plain
As previous examination disclosed only the merest traces of cod-liver oil in the product though claims were made that it “represents cod-liver oil in its entirety,” and in view of the fact, too, that present advertisements emphatically declare that cod-liver oil is present in the preparation as now sold, it was thought best to examine some of the preparation with especial reference to the quantities of fatty acids from cod-liver oil.
OLD LABEL |
NEW LABEL | |
| It is interesting in this connection to note that this product isno longer being sold under the name “Metabolized Cod Liver Oil Compound.”See the illustrations of the old and new labels. | ||
The results of the examination are briefly as follows: The total quantity of acids isolated amounted to about 0.3 per cent., and of this amount about two-thirds was salicylic acid. Thus it appears from the examination of the specimens bought on the open market that the preparation contains at most but 0.1 per cent. of the fatty acids from cod-liver oil, a totally insignificant quantity.
Notwithstanding the protestations by the manufacturers, in the form of published analyses and circulars, it is seen that the statements published in The Journal, Oct. 13, 1906, p. 1207, are essentially substantiated; it is further evident that the product does not deserve to be designated as a cod-liver oil preparation. To obtain a medicinal dose of cod-liver oil the patient would be compelled to swallow the contents of a bottle of this mixture, and as the product contains 11 per cent. alcohol the patient who did so would probably experience a degree of exhilaration not referable to cod-liver oil.—(From The Journal A. M. A., Oct. 9, 1909.)