“Now that the reconstructive properties of cottonseed oil are better appreciated by the profession, the advantages that follow the administration of a palatable emulsion of this strengthening and fattening food product are being demonstrated in hundreds of cases where formerly reliance would have been placed in cod liver oil.... A recent writer says that pure cottonseed oil is the greatest and purest vegetable oil known to chemistry, and will do much toward revolutionizing the treatment of the GREAT WHITE PLAGUE.... If the treatment of tuberculosis could resolve itself into the administration of a fatty substance in a readily assimilated form, there would be no need for any part of FIROLYPTOL but the Cottonseed Oil.... The toxic material constantly produced in the system by the germs of tuberculosis tend to expose it more and more to the ravages of the disease, and the physiologic functions of the body suffer a constant depression. To neutralize this germ activity with a consequent production of toxins it seems most logical to employ such agents as have demonstrated their suitability for such purposes, for which reason Eucalyptol and Kreosote with Firwein are incorporated in FIROLYPTOL.”
The assertion that cottonseed oil is an especially valuable form of fat is without warrant, but even if it were true the fat is available in cheap and palatable forms in numerous other cottonseed oil products. It is unnecessary to discuss the problematic value of creosote in the treatment of tuberculosis or the value of eucalyptol (now generally abandoned), or even of the secret mixture Firwein. Food and fresh air, not drugs, constitute the fundamentals of the treatment of tuberculosis, and it is both irrational and detrimental to the interests of the tuberculous to administer various potent agents in fixed and unknown amounts with such simple articles of food as cottonseed oil. Neither of these products is acceptable for New and Nonofficial Remedies.
Editorial Note.—Firwein[110] has been advertised to physicians for twenty-five or thirty years and it is a sad commentary on the intelligence of our profession that a preparation sold under such obviously false and misleading, not to say silly, claims, should still be in existence. Firwein is claimed to “prevent waste of tissue” in tuberculosis. If it had this power, it would have found its place long ago among the few great agents in drug therapy. As a matter of fact, Firwein has gained virtually no recognition outside of the “literature” of the Tilden concern. The claims made for Firwein are a peculiar mixture of studied candor—when the truth is not likely to hurt its sale—and inane vaporing—when the facts would not redound to its credit. The Tilden Company declares that “Firwein stands without a peer in its class.” But the company adds 10 drops of eucalyptol and some cottonseed oil to this peerless product and an improvement is born—“Firolyptol”! Then, to perfect the already perfectly perfected, 10 drops of creosote are added to “Firolyptol” and the profession is offered “Firolyptol with Kreosote”! In just what verbal pyrotechnics the Tilden Company might indulge, should it decide to add ten drops of something else to “Firolyptol with Kreosote,” one shudders to contemplate.
If we are accused of exhibiting undue levity in discussing a therapeutic problem, we can only answer that it is impossible to consider seriously the Charlie Chaplins of the nostrum world.—(From The Journal A. M. A., Feb. 17, 1917.)
BINIODOL
Report of the Council on Pharmacy and Chemistry
In accordance with the usages of the Council, the report which appears below along with the reports of the clinical investigation by Drs. Cole and Keidel upon which the recommendations of the referee were based were sent to the manufacturer for comment. The reply of the manufacturer contained no evidence which justified the Council in modifying the action already taken. Publication of the report was therefore authorized.
W. A. Puckner, Secretary.