The introduction of No. 12 was effected by means of a special bulletin which consists exclusively of clinical reports from seven physicians, all from Chicago save one, and all purporting to show most favorable results from No. 12. They describe cases which any physician with experience with influenza can duplicate without any special treatment.
It is difficult to give serious consideration to a set of alleged remedies when the only evidence is that furnished by the proponents of the alleged remedies. This is particularly true when the alleged remedy does not make a sufficient appeal to one’s sense of the rational in therapeutics to lead one to feel justified in asking a trial at the hands of careful clinical observers. Considering the grave nature of the diseases for which Proteogens are recommended, particularly cancer, tuberculosis, and pernicious anemia, the want of a rational basis for the method of treatment and the general tenor of the advertising matter, it appears safe to conclude that these agents do not represent any definite advance in therapeutics.
As the use of preparations, secret in composition, and of no established value, is contrary to rational therapy, it is recommended that the Proteogen preparations be declared in conflict with Rules 1, 6 and 10.
Report of Second Referee Reviewing Manufacturers’ Reply
The report declaring the Proteogens of the William S. Merrell Company inadmissible to New and Nonofficial Remedies was adopted by the Council, but before publication it was sent to the Merrell Company for such comments as it might desire to make. In due time the reply of the firm was received. It consisted of two volumes bound in limp morocco, each stamped in gold: “Report Proteogen Therapy Requested by the American Medical Association, 1919; The Wm. S. Merrell Company.” The first volume contained 79 pages of typewritten material; the second volume contained 76 pages of typewritten material and a number of advertising booklets put out by the Wm. S. Merrell Company, exploiting the Proteogens.
Among the typewritten material was a 14-page report on “Proteogen Therapy” by its originator, A. S. Horowitz. Following this there are several pages devoted to what is termed “a short qualitative description of the ingredients of major importance in Proteogens.” Then follows a page describing the advertising of Proteogens, and the remainder of the two books is devoted to testimonials, lauding the benefit of Proteogens in diseases such as cancer, tuberculosis, rheumatism, asthma, influenza, enlarged prostate, rheumatic endocarditis, syphilis, eczema, psoriasis, diabetes, secondary anemia, gonococcic infections, etc. Finally, there are attached samples of advertising pamphlets.
The dissertation by A. S. Horowitz contains little actual information concerning these substances, but is concerned principally with discussion of foreign proteins, “antiferments,” “non-specific proteins,” “anti-virolins” and speculations on their hypothetical actions and interactions on each other and on the organs of the body and on bacteria. The report contains many questionable statements.
One finds in this report but few definite statements of facts which are known to be accurate or which could be accepted without question. The qualitative description of the proteins and their components is as vague as the previous discussion. The differentiation between the various Proteogens is extremely indefinite; that for Tuberculosis, No. 3 is described as “polyvalent, non-specific protein which rapidly attacks the acid-fast, encapsulated tubercle bacilli”; Proteogen No. 10 for syphilis is said to be a combination of “non-specific plant proteins and different chemicals which has the power to paralyze and destroy living spirochete.” It is stated that Proteogens are scientific preparations based on standard ingredients and that the standardization is more accurate than in serums, vaccines or toxins, etc. The report gives no proof of such statements.
The testimonials that are submitted are typical of “reports” that manufacturers are able to obtain from some physicians, to prove the efficacy of almost any preparation in any disease. Each consists, practically, of the opinion of the individual who has employed the Proteogens or the opinion of the patient who has been treated. Few data are given in these reports from which an impartial conclusion might be drawn. A few of the testimonials presented by the William S. Merrell Company follow. The valuelessness of such material as scientific evidence is obvious: