“For gastric distress, weak stomach and dyspepsia, one to two tablets after eating; repeat in half an hour if needed.
“Also indicated in nausea, flatulence, sour stomach and heartburn.”
While these recommendations sound as if they were addressed to the public, Gastrogen Tablets are advertised in medical publications and hence come within the scope of the Council. Gastrogen Tablets are said to be composed of pepsin, calcium carbonate, calcium phosphate and “aromatics.” As each tablet, according to the label, contains 7 grains of calcium carbonate (chalk), the recommended dosage would in most cases be sufficient to neutralize the gastric fluids in the stomach and would thus tend to prevent the pepsin from exerting its digestive effects. The means adopted to relieve one symptom of dyspepsia, in other words, defeats the action of the means for relieving the indigestion. The fact is that patients who need an antacid do not need pepsin, while those who need pepsin will be harmed by the administration of an antacid. Gastrologists hold that, except in rare cases, the evidence tends to show that wherever there is a sufficiency of hydrochloric acid there is a sufficiency of pepsin. When pepsin is lacking it should be administered along with hydrochloric acid to make it effective. The Council voted that Gastrogen Tablets be refused recognition.—(From The Journal A. M. A., Dec. 12, 1914.)
GLYCO-HEROIN, SMITH
Report of the Council on Pharmacy and Chemistry
The following report was submitted to the Council by a referee and publication authorized.
W. A. Puckner, Secretary.
Glyco-Heroin, Smith (Martin H. Smith Co., New York) is marketed in a showy “patent-medicine” type of package, the label on which announces the presence of 1⁄2 grain of heroin to the fluidounce and admits the presence of 3.5 per cent. alcohol, an active ingredient that is not discussed in any way in the literature sent out by the manufacturer.
The composition of Glyco-Heroin, Smith, is given as follows: “Each teaspoonful represents: Heroin 1⁄16 grain, White Pine Bark 31⁄2 grains, Ammonium Hypophosphite 3 grains, Balsam Tolu 1⁄4 grain, Hyoscyamus 1 grain, Glycerin Q. S.” The alcohol is not mentioned in the formula.