“Arsenoven S. S.” is a preparation put out by the S. S. Products Company, Philadelphia. The claims are made that it is “a simplified office treatment for syphilis” and is “a combination of arsenic and mercury for office use, offering maximum efficiency, safety and convenience.” According to the company, “Arsenoven S. S.” contains Dimethylarsenin 15.4 grains, Mercury biniodid 1⁄10 grain, Sodium iodid 1⁄2 grain. With regard to the identity of “dimethylarsenin” the company claims: “This product is a compound of cacodylic acid similar to sodium cacodylate but with a more pronounced therapeutic action.” The committee recommends to the Council that “Arsenoven S. S.” be declared inadmissible to New and Nonofficial Remedies because of unwarranted therapeutic claims.
ARSENO-METH-HYD
“Arseno-Meth-Hyd,” is sold by the New York Intravenous Laboratory, New York City, for the treatment of syphilis. It comes in three dosages, 2 gm., 1.5 gm., and 0.7 gm., respectively. The claim is made that “Arseno-Meth-Hyd 2 gm.” contains “2 gm. (31 grains) of Sodium Dimethylarsenate (Cacodylate), U. S. P.. and Mercury Iodid 5 mg. (1⁄12 grain)” in 5 c.c. of solution. Physicians are told:
“In primary and early secondary case administer Arseno-Meth-Hyd 2 gm. every sixth day and Mercury Oxycyanide .008 (1⁄8 grain) intravenously between each injection.”
“In Tertiary cases and those of long standing alternate with intravenous injection of Sodium Iodid 2 gm.”
The following claims are made for the alleged effectiveness and safety of the cacodylate:
“This methyl compound of arsenic has come into almost universal use for syphilis. On account of lack of toxicity an aggressive routine can be carried on. The simple technic and absence of reactions make it most desirable for the regular practitioner. This large dose gives more uniform results both as healing manifestations and negative Wassermann’s.”
“Much discussion has surrounded the use of Methyl Compounds of Arsenic and it has been demonstrated beyond doubt that Cacodylate of Soda proves an effective remedy for syphilis provided that it is properly administered.” [sic]
“The low toxicity of this Methyl compound of arsenic is remarkable. It is contraindicated only where a decided idiosyncrasy for even small doses of arsenic exists.”
These statements are essentially false and misleading. Cacodylate has not come into universal use in the treatment of syphilis, nor has its usefulness been “demonstrated beyond doubt.” On the contrary, H. N. Cole (The Journal, Dec. 30, 1916, p. 2012) has shown that doses so large as to produce renal injury were almost totally ineffective against syphilis. Obviously, “effective doses” if such exist, are not harmless. The dosage advised for Arseno-Meth-Hyd may not produce acute toxic symptoms; nevertheless smaller doses have produced nephritic phenomena. The “Arseno-Meth-Hyd” treatment includes the intravenous injection of about 1⁄4 grain of a mercury salt. Although this is less than the usual dose (about 1 grain per week), the mercury is probably more effective than the cacodylate.