INGLUVIN
Report of the Council on Pharmacy and Chemistry
A subcommittee of the Council reported that unwarranted claims and misrepresentation were made for Ingluvin by its manufacturers, William R. Warner & Co., recommended that the preparation be refused recognition and that the report be submitted to Warner & Co. for action.
The report was submitted to the firm, and after waiting one month and no acknowledgement or reply having been received, the Council directed its publication. It is as follows:
REPORT ON INGLUVIN
Ingluvin is manufactured by W. R. Warner & Co., chemists, Philadelphia, Pa. The printed matter contains numerous claims and representations of which the following are specimens:
“A positive specific for indigestion, dyspepsia and the most effective remedy in obstinate cases of vomiting of gestation.... A specific for vomiting in pregnancy in doses of from 10 to 20 grains, and a potent and reliable remedy for the cure of marasmus, cholera infantum, indigestion, dyspepsia, and sick stomach caused from debility of that organ. It is superior to the pepsin preparations since it acts with more certainty, and effects cures where they fail.... The natural glycocholic acid in Ingluvin is the active principle and the most efficient agent in the treatment of all stomachic and enteric disorders.”
Two samples were purchased at different times in the open market and on examination found to consist essentially of powdered meat fiber mixed with what appeared to {be} a membranous tissue resembling the lining of a gizzard. Both samples on being tested by the method prescribed by the U. S. Pharmacopeia for estimating the strength of pepsin were found to possess little, if any, proteolytic activity. In order to determine whether or not the lining of a fowl’s gizzard possesses proteolytic action, a fresh gizzard was secured, the lining washed slightly with water, then removed and on using one-half of same in place of pepsin as prescribed by the Pharmacopeial method, it was found to digest 10 grams of albumin within the time limit. Pepsin, when properly kept, does not lose its strength to any material extent.
A careful examination was made for the presence of glycocholic acid, claimed to be the active principle of Ingluvin, but its presence could not be established. Furthermore, the anatomic relations of the fowl are such as to preclude its presence.