In those cases of hemorrhoids in which palliative measures may be expected to enable the patient to avoid surgical interference and afford relief from attacks, the object should be to secure cleanliness, to avoid irritation, whether it be by friction or irritating fecal matter, to reduce inflammation by astringents and, when necessary, to relieve pain by analgesics. If an antiseptic dusting powder is desired, boracic acid in impalpable powder with talc may be employed; if an astringent, finely powdered oxid of zinc may be added; if a local analgesic is necessary, a little extract of belladonna may be incorporated with petrolatum or other ointment base. The main reliance, in any event, should be to effect normal bowel movements by regulating the diet rather than by the use of purgatives; the use of warm water to insure cleanliness; the avoidance of irritation, especially that caused by friction and secretions; a mild astringent to reduce inflammation.—(From The Journal A. M. A., March 9, 1918)
GUAIODINE
Report of the Council on Pharmacy and Chemistry
The following report on Guaiodine, marketed by the Intravenous Products Company, Denver, has been adopted by the Council and its publication authorized.
W. A. Puckner, Secretary.
A referee of the Committee on Pharmacology, in submitting to the Council a report from the A. M. A. Chemical Laboratory on Guaiodine, advises that the Laboratory’s examination shows that instead of containing free “colloidal” iodin as claimed, the preparation is essentially an iodated fatty oil, containing only combined iodin. Equally misleading, in view of the Laboratory’s findings, are the implied claims that the antiseptic action of Guaiodine corresponds to that of free iodin.
Guaiodine is advertised mainly for the treatment of gonorrhea. While it may be true that the guaiacol contained in Guaiodine has some beneficial effect, especially when preceded by potassium permanganate irrigation as advised, the advertised claim that “Guaiodine acts as a specific for gonorrhea in a majority of cases” is utterly false.
The “case records” offered to establish the therapeutic value of Guaiodine are in themselves sufficient to condemn the “evidence.” The following are fair samples:
“The second boy came a day or so later with a slight discharge with the characteristic burning and itching, and with symptoms of a beginning gonorrhea, and judging from the source of the infection, it was believed to be so. Two injections of Guaiodine were given when the discharge ceased.”