Barger, Dale and Durham report from the Department of Biochemistry and Pharmacology, Medical Research Committee (Lancet, Dec. 1, 1917, p. 825), that they examined “Collosol Cocaine” and found it to contain but 0.25 per cent. of cocain. They also found that the cocain was not present in a colloidal form. Discussing the low toxicity claimed by the manufacturers, these investigators state:
“In the samples which we examined the toxicity was, indeed, much lower than that of an ordinary 1 per cent. solution of a cocain salt; but the local anesthetic action was low to a corresponding degree, and both actions corresponded satisfactorily with the proportion of cocain chemically recoverable from the solution.”
Stroud, of the Crookes Laboratory (which manufactures the preparation), who apparently had been informed of this work in advance of publication, admits the correctness of it, and states (British Medical Journal, Nov. 24, 1918, p. 710) that “whilst the colloidal protective apparently absorbs a portion of the cocain, the remainder is found not to exhibit the attributes of a colloid,...”
The specimen of “Collosol Cocaine” submitted to the Council and labeled “Collosol Cocaine 1-100” was found to contain at most 0.4 per cent. cocain. The examination was made in accordance with the method used by Barger, Dale and Durham and calculated as cocain. This method, however, probably would not distinguish between cocain and basic decomposition products, but would include all as cocain in the amount found. The specimen of “Collosol Cocaine” examined was neutral or slightly acid, a fact which tends to confirm the conclusion of the British investigators that “Collosol Cocaine” contains cocain in noncolloidal form and precludes an increased physiologic effect due to alkalinity.
The Council adopted both the report submitted by the committee and that of the A. M. A. Laboratory and declared “Collosol Cocaine” inadmissible to New and Nonofficial Remedies.—(From The Journal A. M. A., April 12, 1919.)
CUPRASE NOT ADMITTED TO N. N. R.
Report of the Council on Pharmacy and Chemistry
The Council has authorized publication of the following report on Cuprase, sold by the Anglo-French Drug Co., Ltd. The Council’s criticisms of the advertising claims were sent to the firm, December, 1918. The firm made no reply and essentially the same claims are contained in recent advertisements.