In addition to “Micajah’s Medicated Wafers,” Micajah & Co. also put out “Micajah’s Suppositories for Hemorrhoids.” These have been examined in the A. M. A. Chemical Laboratory and, like the “Medicated Wafers” have been found to contain alum, boric acid and borax—and these substances practically alone—incorporated in cocoa butter. The company claims that “to these have been added Ammonii Ichthyo­sulphonate, Balsam of Peru, Ext. Belladonae.” The A. M. A. chemists report, however, that if extract of belladonna is present at all it is in amounts too small to be detected by the method commonly employed in the chemical examination of alkaloidal drugs. The chemists report further that while ammonium ichthyo­sulphonate and balsam of Peru both have a decided odor and are dark in color, the suppositories have but little color and the odor of the cocoa butter that forms their base is not covered by these drugs; obviously, therefore, if ammonium ichthyo­sulphonate and balsam of Peru are present at all it is in amounts utterly insufficient to exert any therapeutic effect.

It would be hard to find better examples of mischievous proprietary medicines than these two products of the Micajah Company. “Twins of Efficiency,” they are called in an advertising pamphlet. The composition is not stated. A physician using the “twins” does so absolutely in the dark. To him they are secret preparations. He is encouraged to use them in a great variety of conditions in which other drugs are much more useful. Inevitably, physicians using them will be likely to overlook, or pass over, new growths, specific infections and diseases that require radical remedial measures.

In addition to misleading and exaggerated claims, there is a reference to a report from the usual “well-known and reliable bacteriological laboratory.” The excerpts published from this report of an unnamed laboratory are sufficiently vague to incriminate no one.

From time to time it is worth while to emphasize facts regarding proprietary medicines that while obvious are sometimes forgotten. For this reason attention is directed to Micajah’s Uterine Wafers and Micajah’s Suppositories.—(From The Journal A. M. A., Nov. 29, 1919)

ALKALITHIA

Report of the Council on Pharmacy and Chemistry

Alkalithia was introduced at a time when it was believed that the administration of lithium salts served to remove uric acid from the system. The product was considered by the Council in 1906, and found ineligible for New and Non­official Remedies. No report, however, was published at that time.

Because of inquiries received, the Council examined the current claims for Alkalithia, and authorized publication of the report which appears below.

W. A. Puckner, Secretary.