According to a circular, “The sanitary plasma Libradol” is a “homogeneous, highly medicated, and exceedingly potent compound, in plastic form,” which “carries the energies of its drug constituents and the high antiseptic qualities of Laurus Camphora and Melaleuca.” It is stated: “The Drug Influence of Libradol is necessarily different from that of any known single member of the Materia Medica. But yet, no mystery either in medicine or of pharmacy is claimed as a part of its composition or process of manufacture. It is a thing peculiar to itself, the result of the study of the drugs from which it is derived and compounded. These drugs may be studied at leisure by whoever cares to do so....”
The following information bearing on the composition of Libradol was furnished by Lloyd Brothers in response to a request from the Council to aid in the consideration of the preparation:
“ ‘Compound Lobelia Powder’ has been, since 1852, official in the American Dispensatory, in the first edition of which (1852) its formula is given, as follows:
“ ‘Take of Lobelia, in powder, twelve ounces; Bloodroot and Skunk Cabbage, in powder, of each, six ounces; Ipecacuanha, eight ounces; Capsicus, in powder, two ounces. Mix them.’
“This preparation came increasingly into demand with the Eclectic profession, the principal use for which it was first employed (as an emetic), being finally displaced by its local application in bronchial pneumonia troubles, when sprinkled on a greased cloth and applied to the chest.”
“In 1898, Dr. Finley Ellingwood petitioned Lloyd Brothers to make for him, in plasma form, ready for application, a compound carrying the ingredients of the old ‘Compound Lobelia Powder,’ strengthened by the addition of Melaleuca leucadendron, Laurus camphora and Nicotiana tabacum. Experiments not very encouraging in a pharmaceutical sense were made, and it was not until repeated requests had been made that a product was at last satisfactorily prepared and forwarded to Dr. Ellingwood (1900), with no thought other than that of serving him personally in his practice. This product he used and commended to his professional friends, and under his commendation it came into professional demand.”
An examination of the information submitted by Lloyd Brothers showed Libradol to be in conflict with the principles and rules that govern in the acceptance of articles for New and Nonofficial Remedies as follows:
Composition (Rule 1).—The information which has been received gives little idea of the actual composition of the preparation; for example, the statement that Libradol “carries the energies of its drug constituents and the high antiseptic qualities of Laurus Camphora and Melaleuca” gives no indication as to the part or parts of the Laurus Camphora or Melaleuca employed. If the statement is correct, that Libradol “is a homogeneous, highly medicated, and exceedingly potent compound,” it is essential that the several potent ingredients be stated clearly and not merely hinted at by their qualities. Other conflicts with Rule 1 might be enumerated, but the foregoing citations state the direct conflict; and this has not been removed, although an inquiry was sent to Lloyd Brothers for a statement of the amount of each potent ingredient in a given quantity of Libradol.
Indirect Advertising (Rule 4).—The recommendation for the use of Libradol in the treatment of colds, bronchitis, lumbago, sciatica and rheumatic pains, which accompanies the trade package, is prone to lead the public to depend on it in cases where definite treatment is imperative.