The “formula,” in the form in which the manufacturers publish it, is either impossible or meaningless, according to the interpretation that may be given. It is impossible if it is intended to indicate the actual composition of the product because that would mean that the oil is alleged to contain free or uncombined iodin, bromin and phosphorus. Both on theoretical grounds and also in the light of the findings of the Chemical Laboratory of the American Medical Association, it is not possible that all these constituents can be present in the free state. The formula is meaningless if it is intended to convey the idea, merely, that iodin, bromin, phosphorus, thymol, menthol and sterilized oil are combined to form “Bromin-Iodin.” In the absence of any details of the method of manufacture, it is futile to attempt to pass judgment on the actual composition of the preparation.
The use of an almost identical product (said, however, to contain only 1⁄2 grain iodin to each fluidram) was described in 1908 by Dr. Ingraham of Binghamton, N. Y., in “Five Years Successful Experience with a Special Mode of Treating Pulmonary Tuberculosis.” In 1910 The Journal[99] characterized the preparation as “one of the innumerable ‘treatments’ for pulmonary tuberculosis that have arisen, had their day and, more or less gracefully, retired.” If the preparation had value for the purpose for which it is recommended, its use during these twelve years should have secured its general recognition. There is no satisfactory evidence of its therapeutic efficacy. The Council refused recognition to Bromin-Iodin Comp. and, after submitting this report to the Bromin-Iodin Chemical Company, authorized its publication.—(From The Journal A. M. A., Dec. 23, 1916.)
AMMONIUM HYPOPHOSPHITE OMITTED FROM N. N. R.
Report of the Council on Pharmacy and Chemistry
Ammonium hypophosphite was admitted to New and Nonofficial Remedies in 1908 as a preliminary step in the consideration of a preparation containing it—“Gardner’s Syrup of Ammonium Hypophosphite”—because the Council standardizes unofficial products before considering preparations or mixtures of these.
The therapeutic use of hypophosphites being irrational (see, “The Hypophosphite Fallacy,” Report of the Council on Pharmacy and Chemistry, The Journal, Sept. 2, 1916, p. 760), the salt, ammonium hypophosphite, deserves continued recognition only on condition that this salt of ammonium is superior to other salts from which may be obtained the effect of the ammonium radical. It has been claimed that ammonium hypophosphite has a less objectionable taste than other ammonium salts used for similar purposes. This claim would merit serious consideration if in addition to being less objectionable to the taste, the effects of ammonium hypophosphite were equal to or more desirable than the official ammonium salts. There is no evidence that this condition is met by the hypophosphite salt.
Ammonium hypophosphite has long been known, yet it is not official in the Austrian, Belgian, British, French, German, Hungarian, Italian, Swedish, Swiss or United States Pharmacopeias. Neither is it mentioned in the leading textbooks on materia medica, pharmacology or therapeutics. In short it appears to be an instance of an obscure and superfluous salt selected for proprietary exploitation.
Since the continued recognition of ammonium hypophosphite would tend to perpetuate the hypophosphite fallacy, and because there is no evidence supporting its advantage as a means of securing the effect of ammonium salts the Council directed its omission from New and Nonofficial Remedies.—(From Reports of Council on Pharmacy and Chemistry, 1916, p. 51.)