In its report on “The Therapeutic Value of the Glycero­phosphates” (The Journal, Sept. 30, 1916, p. 1033) the Council pointed out that the therapeutic use of the glycero­phosphates was based on the assumption that the inorganic phosphates cannot supply the body’s needs of phosphorus or that the use of organic compounds “spared” the system the necessity of making such synthesis. The report presented evidence to show that the glycero­phosphates are not absorbed as such, but that they are split into inorganic phosphates before absorption. The Council showed that there was convincing evidence that the animal organism synthesizes its complex organic phosphorus constituents from inorganic phosphates, and that organic phosphorus is of no more value as a food than inorganic. Despite this the Neuro Phosphates advertising makes use of the fallacious assumption regarding the action of the glycero­phosphates.

Pleading for the particular mixture represented by the proprietary, it is asserted that:

“Sodium glycero­phosphate is of special value in neurasthenia, Addison’s disease, phosphaturia and phthisis.”

and that calcium glycero­phosphate “is employed in bone fracture, rachitis, tuberculosis and various wasting diseases.”

The phosphorus content of 1⁄64 grain of strychnin glycero­phosphate is ridiculously small. Yet it is asserted that this strychnin salt is of superior value because it combines the effects of strychnin with a “food-like form of phosphorus.” Eskay’s Neuro Phosphates has an acid reaction which is capitalized, thus:

“Experiments have shown that the acid glycero­phosphates are more rapidly absorbed and are more efficient than the neutral salts.”

And as a further illustration of extravagant claims:

“As a glycerophosphoric acid in the form of lecithin is normally present in spermatozoids, it is but natural that the glycero­phosphates should exhibit aphrodisiac effects (as has been observed), but this result does not seem to obtain in all cases.”

Is this a clumsy attempt to exploit this “nerve phosphate” as a “lost manhood” cure?

The Council held Eskay’s Neuro Phosphates ineligible for New and Non­official Remedies because unwarranted therapeutic claims are made for it and because the administration of strychnin, calcium, phosphate and alcohol is not conducive to rational therapeutics, particularly when such a mixture is marketed under a name which indicates but one of its constituents.—(From The Journal A. M. A., Sept. 29, 1917.)