The ipecac in combination with the other ingredients in Carminzym is designed for a tablet which shall carry a minimal quantity whilst capable of adequate remedial action, thus admitting of increase of dosage or repetition as occasion requires. The quantity of ipecac was not taken at random, but chosen after long trial and consideration.
We believe that Carminzym possesses carminative properties in a superior degree and that, furthermore, in consequence of its composition it directly stimulates the gland secretions and thus exerts a beneficial action upon the whole digestive functions.
Carminzym is for use as occasion requires, and this is to be especially noted. Thus it is not only of direct benefit, but helpful in promoting systematic therapeutic measures and regimen.
The Council takes the ground that complex mixtures of remedial agents are so wrong that there is no longer warrant for their admission into New and Nonofficial Remedies; and that Carminzym is an irrational mixture.
We hold that certain desirable therapeutic properties may rationally be attributable to Carminzym; and that these are manifested in practice.
During the time since the description was sent and the receipt of the statement of the action of the Council, some ten months, Carminzym has proved of constantly increasing service.
The statement in the letter of Fairchild Bros. and Foster “The long established custom of the use of mixtures of remedial agents rests on considerations well known and generally accepted” might well be paraphrased to read: The one-time prevalent custom of using ill-considered combinations of remedial agents has been thoroughly discredited and is generally abandoned by progressive practitioners. Such arguments as that “laxatives, tonics, carminatives, diuretics are combined with distinct advantage” have led to the use of irrational mixtures such as the compound syrup of hypophosphites and the electuary of theriaca. The Council is confident that no one who has studied the causes and treatment of digestive disorders will find occasion to prescribe at one time all the ingredients stated to be contained in Carminzym, and certainly not in the fixed proportions present therein.
The comments in the Council’s report concerning ipecac certainly does apply to all active therapeutic agents. Ipecac was mentioned in the report because the several constituents of Carminzym were under discussion and hence it was necessary to point out the futility of the small dosage of ipecac in this mixture.
The announcement that “Carminzym has proved of constantly increasing service” is not convincing. The Council does not know of a single clinical study of the action of Carminzym under conditions which would have afforded satisfactory evidence of its therapeutic value.—(From The Journal A. M. A., Sept. 28, 1918.)