Report of the Council on Pharmacy and Chemistry

The Council has authorized publication of the following report.

W. A. Puckner, Secretary.

“National Iodine Solution” is a proprietary sold by the National Drug Co., Philadelphia, Pa. From inquiries received by the Council on Pharmacy and Chemistry it is evident that the product is extensively brought to the attention of physicians by means of circulars. The name implies that it is a solution of iodin and the inference is given that it has the advantages of iodin without the disadvantages.

COMPOSITION

In view of the foregoing, the Council took up the investigation of “National Iodine Solution,” and in turn asked the A. M. A. Chemical Laboratory to analyze it. The chemist’s report follows:

According to the label of National Iodine Solution, “each fluidounce represents three grains Proteo-albuminoid compound of iodin (National)”; also an alcohol declaration of 7 per cent. is made. Otherwise no information is given as to the composition either of the “solution” or of “Proteo-albuminoid compound of Iodine.”

Each bottle contained about 115 c.c. (nearly 4 ounces) of a yellowish solution, acid in reaction, having an odor resembling witch hazel; its specific gravity at 25 C. was 0.9860. Qualitative tests indicated the presence of zinc, alcohol, sulphate, an iodin compound (the solution gave tests which indicated a very small amount of free iodin; most of the iodin was in the form of ordinary iodid), a small amount of vegetable extractives, and traces of aluminum and potassium. If any protein was present, it was in amounts too small to be identified, though a small amount of a nitrogenous compound was present. The amount of solids in “National Iodine Solution” was equivalent to 0.72 per cent, and the amount of ash, to 0.2 per cent. Quantitative estimations yielded the following:

Alcohol (by volume)7.0   per cent.
Zinc (Zn++)0.096 per cent.
Iodin (free and combined)0.029 per cent.
Sulphate (SO4- -)0.146 per cent.
Protein (N × 6.36)0.012 per cent.