“Some of Draper’s conclusions are as follows:
“ ‘Autotoxemia in intestinal obstruction undoubtedly arises from an interference with cellular reactions of the intestinal epithelium.... When small-intestine epithelial cells of healthy animals are placed in the stomach[106] of duodenally obstructed animals, such animals have lived nearly twice as long as not-fed controlled animals. This evidence is strongly opposed to the bacterial theory of origin of toxins.’
“The point to be emphasized is this: If this emulsion of intestinal epithelium had been fed to a normal dog and a normal man, what would have happened? Absolutely nothing. On the other hand, given as it was to a dog and a man in desperate need it exercised a potent effect.
“Abundant clinical testimony can be cited in support of the opinions of Moore, Edie and Abram, Hallion, Marfan and Draper as to the value of extracts of the intestinal mucosa given by mouth in pathological conditions. We have previously cited the published favorable opinions of such gastroenterologists as Anthony Bassler, Lewis Brinton, G. R. Lockwood, and R. C. Kemp, so there is no need to recapitulate their experiences with what they honestly believed to be secretin-bearing extracts, but which were essentially extracts of the duodenal mucosa.
“Supplementing the evidence of these men as to the value of these extracts we submit an excerpt from a letter from one of the best known physicians of Edinburgh:
“ ‘I can speak in very high praise of Secretogen, which I have used in both tablet form and as the elixir. There is no doubt about its value in a certain class of intractable indigestion which refuses to be benefited by any other remedy. On several occasions I have been much gratified by the definite relief obtained in this class of cases. It hits the mark also in some types of obstinate constipation—I think those cases where the trouble is wrapped up in impaired enervation of the intestine, and where stasis occurs at certain segments of the canal.’
“Hallion very pertinently points out[108] that it is now accepted that opotherapy is not substitutive, but homostimulative and he remarks further that it is well to bear in mind that the so-called active substances which make the extract efficacious need not necessarily be the hormones. ‘It may be the elements of tissue structure which may come to the aid of the injured organ. The hormone should not therefore be looked on as the only active agent of opotherapy and, while its action is important, it need not necessarily be preponderant. The chemical isolation of the hormones is, of course, of interest but may not be as vital to organotherapy as we have thought.’ ...”
COMMENT BY THE COUNCIL ON PHARMACY AND CHEMISTRY
The G. W. Carnrick Company, which formerly claimed that Secretogen was efficacious because it contained secretin, now admits this claim to be unfounded. Notwithstanding, the manufacturers still call their product Secretogen and make for it practically the same therapeutic claims as before. They now base these claims on vague “principles of opotherapy” and on so-called “clinical testimony.” The burden of proof rests on them to show that these old claims, already discredited but put forth again on new grounds, are justified. Have they done so?
The “clinical testimony” is not convincing. So much of it as is definite enough to permit of criticism has already been dealt with. The remainder consists of mere assertions; it is not through reliance on such evidence that the Council can discharge its trust. On this side of the question there is nothing new to be said—reassertion of a refuted argument does not constitute fresh proof.