The assertions are made that Creosote-Delson is superior to the official creosote because it can be taken “abundantly and persistently without harm to or interference with stomach and kidneys” and can be “taken uninterruptedly and indefinitely,” while the dosage is “unlimited by any former knowledge of Creosote Therapy.” Creosote-Delson is not on the market except in the combination Creofos, although it is supplied on request.
Creofos is advised in the treatment of tuberculosis, whooping cough, measles, “Grippe and Colds,” bronchitis, asthma, “Intestinal Affections (Colitis, Summer Diarrhoea, etc.),” while its use is suggested for the “prevention of the spread of contagious diseases,” and for “preventing contagion in minor contagious diseases at any rate, in schools and families.”
The following advertisement has recently appeared in the New York Medical Journal and in the Therapeutic Gazette:
CREOFOS MEDICATION
is the successful development of the most advanced practice in the treatment of infectious diseases. It destroys completely the causative organisms by a bactericide many times more powerful than phenol, yet absolutely harmless to animal life.
Unlike serums, its activity is not confined to any specific disease, and its use insures against sequelae (as pneumonia following grippe).
Especially valuable in the treatment of infants and patients of delicate constitution and in cases where time is of importance.
The Delson Chemical Co. was requested to supply information regarding the identity of Creosote-Delson and to support the claim that although it is “the whole drug” its dosage is “unlimited by any former knowledge of Creosote Therapy.” The reply was virtually an admission that the toxic, caustic, phenolic components of creosote were present in Creosote-Delson just as in the official creosote.
The referee of the Committee on Therapeutics in submitting his report to the Council pointed out that it is difficult to discuss the pharmacologic merits of a semisecret preparation, like Creosote-Delson, claimed to be more acceptable to the human organism than the official product it is intended to supplant, when the action of the parent drug is still questioned or disputed by eminent clinicians.
Absorption experiments have been carried out with creosote and creosote compounds, such as creosote with hypophosphites or calcium or creosote carbonate, chiefly by a study of the elimination products in the urine. But any evidence so far offered that these combinations increase absorption and lessen the irritating, caustic or toxic properties has been wholly inconclusive. The evidence offered by the Delson Chemical Co. presented no control experiments with the official creosote and did not prove that either Creosote-Delson or Creofos was less toxic than a corresponding amount of ordinary beechwood creosote.