A comparison of these so-called formulas shows that they have not only varied from time to time, but that in no instance was a quantitative statement with regard to all the asserted ingredients given.
The Chemical Laboratory of the A. M. A. reports: Katharmon has an alkaline reaction and therefore cannot contain boric acid, salicylic acid or “borosalicylic acid” (the latter is unknown to medical literature except as loosely applied to a simple mixture of boric and salicylic acids). The solution gives tests for sodium, borate, and salicylate and therefore probably contains sodium borate and sodium salicylate. Examined by the methods used for the determination of hydrastin in goldenseal preparations, a residue giving only a faint test for alkaloid was obtained; if present at all, hydrastis canadensis (goldenseal) is there only in very small amounts.
A circular wrapped with the trade package of Katharmon contained the following, palpably unwarranted, claims:
“Internally it is very useful in acute indigestion, Gastric Catarrh, Diarrhoea and Cholera Infantum.”
“... it has demonstrated its remarkable curative effects, not only in preventing unhealthy conditions of fresh wounds, but also in correcting the decaying of putrefactive processes peculiar to the body under certain circumstances. It has, further, a remarkable efficacy in surface inflammations, whether produced by accident or disease, and is an indispensable remedy in the affections of the mucous membranes of the nose, mouth, stomach, bowels, vagina, uterus, urethra, bladder and rectum.”
Katharmon is in conflict with Rules 1 and 4 of the Council on Pharmacy and Chemistry because of its indefinite and secret composition and the method of advertising it indirectly to the public; it is in conflict with Rules 10, 6 and 8, in that it is an irrational shotgun mixture sold under unwarranted therapeutic claims and under a name nondescriptive of its composition.—(From The Journal A. M. A., Aug. 10, 1918.)
IODINIZED EMULSION (SCOTT) AND CREOSOTONIC (SCOTT)
Report of the Council on Pharmacy and Chemistry
“Iodinized Emulsion (Scott)” and “Creosotonic (Scott)” are proprietary preparations of the Dawson Pharmacal Company, Dawson Springs, Ky. The latter preparation used to be known as “Iodinized Emulsion (Scott) with Hypophosphites, Guaiacol and Creosote.” In 1907 these preparations were considered by the Council and found inadmissible to New and Nonofficial Remedies. Examination of the preparations having been again requested, the Council considered them anew because the composition and claims had been changed somewhat and because at the previous consideration no report was published.