“The efficacy of these combinations of remedial agents is so well established as to preclude the necessity of more than passing mention. What is obvious is that in acute coryza, in chronic and acute nasal catarrh, in dry catarrhal conditions especially, in both forms of chronic rhinitis—atrophic and hypertrophic—in the latter stages of the prevailing grippe colds, and even in hay fever, V-E-M Unguentum Eucalyptol Compound affords pronounced relief and proves a most grateful application....”
Though the identity and purity of eucalyptol are provided for by the standards of the U. S. Pharmacopeia, the claim is made that the product contained in these preparations “transcends in purity and efficiency all other brands.”
A package of V-E-M Unguentum Eucalyptol Compound, recently sent to a physician, contains the following:
“If your head is all stuffed up to-night, or you feel a cold coming on, use V-E-M just before going to bed. It will break up the cold, and you’ll wake up in the morning, with your head clear and feeling fine all over.
“If you suffer with chronic or acute catarrh, use V-E-M regularly night and morning. You’ll be agreeably surprised at the relief it will give you in a short time.
“There is nothing quicker, nothing surer to alleviate rhinitis, grippe-colds, or hay fever.
“In a word—V-E-M is the best antiseptic ointment for all diseased conditions of the nose....”
The Council declared these preparations in conflict with its rules because unwarranted therapeutic claims were made for them (Rule 6); because the public was advised to depend on them in the treatment of diseases (Rule 4), and because these combinations of ingredients, in fixed proportions, under proprietary names, are irrational (Rules 8 and 10).—(From Reports of Council on Pharmacy and Chemistry, 1917, p. 163.)