PLATT’S CHLORIDES
Report of the Council on Pharmacy and Chemistry
The Council has authorized publication of the following report on “Platt’s Chlorides.” It also declares the preparation inadmissible to New and Nonofficial Remedies because its composition is uncertain and indefinite and because the claims made for it are exaggerated and misleading.
W. A. Puckner, Secretary
“Platt’s Chlorides,” marketed by Henry B. Platt, New York, is sold as a disinfectant and germicide. Only incomplete and contradictory statements have been made in regard to its composition. Many years ago (about 1899) the composition of Platt’s Chlorides was given as “The Chlorids of Zn 40 per cent., Pb 20, Ca 15, Al 15, Mg 5, K 5.” The statement that the preparation contained 20 per cent. of lead chlorid is interesting, in view of the fact that lead chlorid is soluble in water at ordinary temperatures to the extent of less than 1 per cent. In a booklet, also issued a number of years ago, the following “Formula of Platt’s Chlorides” was given:
“A saturated solution of Metallic Chlorids combined in the following proportions:
| “Sol. Zinc Chlorid | 40 | per cent. |
| “Sol. Aluminum Chlorid | 15 | per cent. |
| “Sol. Lead Chlorid | 20 | per cent. |
| “Sol. Calcium Chlorid | 15 | per cent. |
| “Sol. Magnesium Chlorid | 5 | per cent. |
| “Sol. Potassium Chlorid | 5 | per cent.” |
The label on a bottle purchased in 1911, describes Platt’s Chlorides as:
“A Highly Concentrated Solution of the Chlorids of Aluminum, Calcium, Lead, Zinc, etc.”
The label of a bottle purchased in 1919 reads: