Fourthly, the permanent affixing of the name “Aspirin” to the vest-pocket boxes is also inefficient as a protection, and serves mainly as an advertisement.
Fifthly, whatever may have been the motives of the advertisers, and however carefully the advertisements are worded, they will inevitably tend to increase the use of aspirin by the public, and this is directly against the interests of public health. The public does not know, as physicians do, that headaches are merely symptoms of other, sometimes very serious conditions; and that they are often the signal for the need of a thorough physical examination and diagnosis. It is true that they are often also the symptoms of very minor derangements, which will right themselves spontaneously; and that, in such cases, drugs like aspirin may give relief and may do no harm. The patient, however, is not educated to distinguish one class from the other, and therefore anything that tends to promote the indiscriminate use of such remedies as aspirin is detrimental to the public health. Furthermore, aspirin itself is not always harmless. Alarming idiosyncrasies are sufficiently common that the use of the first doses, at least, should require medical supervision. With these considerations in mind, the referee is of the opinion that the direct and indirect advertising of aspirin is to be condemned.—(From The Journal A. M. A., Jan. 20, 1917.)
PIL. CASCARA COMPOUND-ROBINS
Report of the Council on Pharmacy and Chemistry
A circular issued by the A. H. Robins Company of Richmond, Va., contains the following statement:
“PIL. CASCARA COMPOUND-ROBINS is a rational therapeutic formula, composed of CASCARA, PODOPHYLLIN, COLOCYNTH and HYOSCYAMUS, which promotes a natural flow of secretions, which is, in turn, the physiologic stimulant of peristalsis. Thus, a normal evacuation is produced without subsequent inhibition.
“They contain no Mercury, Strychnia nor Belladonna.
“An ideal aid to any remedial agent, when a Mild, Medium or Strong alimentary stimulant is needed [sic].