“4. Further syphilitic lesions appeared immediately after the treatment in one of the two cases treated with both Ferrivine and Intramine. A mucous patch appeared on one tonsil as well as further syphilitic papules from which spirochetes were obtained. The other case developed nephritis, with albumin and epithelial casts; which was not present prior to the injections.”
While from these cases the obvious conclusion was drawn that Intramine and Ferrivine “have no specific effect on early syphilis,” these authors subsequently treated a case of tertiary syphilis with the drugs. An Intramine injection caused pain for several days but did not stop the progress of the disease. Ferrivine was then administered “not without a feeling of grave responsibility” in view of their previous experiences. They state that “the reaction which resulted in this instance was the most severe” they ever experienced after an intravenous injection of any of the antisyphilitic remedies with which they had previously worked. It is stated that “for a period of some minutes there was grave doubt as to the patient’s survival.” After resuscitation the patient passed a disturbed night, and rigors which ensued lasted until the following afternoon. The author’s report that in this case also no clinical improvement occurred and that the Intramine-Ferrivine treatment was replaced by a course consisting of salvarsan, potassium iodid and mercurial inunction.
Ferrivine, Intramine and Collosol Iodine were declared inadmissible to New and Nonofficial Remedies.—(From The Journal A. M. A., Sept. 8, 1917.)
ESKAY’S NEURO PHOSPHATES
Report of the Council on Pharmacy and Chemistry
For the information of the profession the Council has prepared and authorized for publication the following report on Eskay’s Neuro Phosphates.
W. A. Puckner, Secretary.
Eskay’s Neuro Phosphates (Smith, Kline & French Co., Philadelphia) is offered to physicians under the claims that it contains alcohol, 17 per cent., and sodium glycerophosphate, 2 grains, calcium glycerophosphate, 2 grains, and strychnin glycerophosphate, 1⁄64 grain, in each dessertspoonful. It is called a “Nerve Tissue Reconstructive,” and its advertising claims are based on the discredited theories that certain disorders are due to a deficiency of phosphorus in the nerve structure of the body, and that glycerophosphates are assimilated more readily than ordinary phosphates. This assumption was based on the knowledge that the lecithins, which form a part of the nerve structure, contained the glycerophosphate radical in the molecule. In line with this, Smith, Kline & French Co. aver:
“Eskay’s Neuro Phosphates is of marked value in many acute and chronic conditions, in nervous exhaustion following mental and physical strain, neurasthenia, paralysis, anemia, tuberculosis, marasmus, debility and wasting diseases generally, and the nerve-weakness of the aged. It is particularly useful in convalescence from acute diseases and in the nervous condition following la grippe.”