The second consultant replied that in his opinion the claim that Spirocide produces more “undoubted effect than any form of mercury administered by any method known to science without the usual danger,” was not substantiated. He believed that it was not as effective as some other methods, that the dosage is not as exact, and, therefore, it is not as free from danger when the drug is pushed.
The Council’s two consultants were also asked whether or not, in their opinion, the administration of mercury by inhalation is a method which the Council should endorse to the extent of recognizing a preparation based on this principle. This inquiry was also sent to the members of the editorial board of the Archives of Dermatology and Syphilology. Five replies were received. One advised a thorough study of the different methods of administering mercury by inhalation. The other four were opposed to such recognition on the ground that as the dosage is not exact the effects, therefore, are not certain.
In consideration of the opinions expressed by its consultants, the Council declared Spirocide inadmissible to New and Nonofficial Remedies because (1) the claims made for it are unproved and unwarranted, (2) the routine use of an inexact method for the administration of mercury is detrimental to sound therapy and (3) the name is not descriptive of its composition, thus failing to remind the physician who uses these pastils that he is administering metallic mercury.—(From The Journal A. M. A., Jan. 22, 1921.)
DIGIFOLIN-CIBA NOT ADMITTED TO N. N. R.
Report of the Council on Pharmacy and Chemistry
The Council has authorized the publication of the following report, declaring Digifolin-Ciba inadmissible to New and Nonofficial Remedies.
W. A. Puckner, Secretary.
Digifolin-Ciba is a product of the Society of Chemical Industry of Basle, Switzerland. It is marketed in the United States by the Ciba Company, 91 Barclay Street, New York City. It is claimed that Digifolin-Ciba is “a preparation of digitalis leaves that has been freed from the useless and harmful principles such as Digitonin (saponin), coloring and inert matter, etc., but does contain all the really valuable, therapeutically active constituents of the leaves, namely: digitoxin and digitalein in their natural proportions.” There is no evidence that digifolin contains all of the glucosides of digitalis as they exist in the leaf, and it is extremely improbable that this is the case because one cannot remove saponin without altering the other active principles of digitalis.
The Ciba Company sends out the following pamphlets relating to Digifolin: