“Akoz was subjected to every known scientific test before being presented to the public. It was practically determined that the ore contained a new element having radium-like qualities but containing nothing poisonous or harmful.”
“After the curative virtues of Akoz for rheumatism, stomach trouble, eczema, catarrh, piles, ulcers and numerous other ailments had been fully established in chemical laboratory, hospital clinic, and the private practice of physicians in various parts of the world, Mr. Mackenzie effected the organization of the Natura Company.”
This product, put up in the form of “Akoz Medicinal Mineral Water, Akoz Ointment, Akoz Powder and Akoz Suppositories,” was submitted to the Council on Pharmacy and Chemistry for consideration some years ago with the claims that “Akoz” itself consists essentially of zinc sulphid, barium sulphate and aluminum oxid. The submitted analysis did not declare the presence of lead or of uranium though “special tests” for the latter had been “run.” Without checking the claimed composition, the Council at that time refused recognition to Akoz because there was no evidence submitted for the very extravagant and altogether improbable therapeutic claims.
After the Council had concluded the consideration of Akoz a letter was received from a California physician stating that according to an analysis submitted to him Akoz contained 0.34 per cent. of lead in the form of lead sulphate. The correspondent held that, while the lead sulphate did not pass into solution, persons drinking the supernatant liquid from Akoz (the “medicinal mineral water” is made by adding Akoz to ordinary water) might inadvertently swallow some of the powder. He was inclined to believe that this might account for a case of lead poisoning which had been observed in a patient who had been taking Akoz.
Inasmuch as it has been demonstrated by Carlson and Woelfel (Carlson, A. J., and Woelfel, A.: Solubility of Lead Sulphate and Basic Lead Carbonate in Human Gastric Juice.... In Hygiene of the Painter’s Trade by Alice Hamilton, Bull. of U. S. Bureau of Labor Statistics No. 120, May 13, 1913, pp. 22–32) that even small quantities of lead sulphate when taken into the system for a long time, have produced lead poisoning, the laboratory deemed it important that the products be examined for lead.
A specimen of “Akoz Powder” submitted to the Council by the Natura Company and contained in a sifter-top can was taken for analysis. The contents of the can were thoroughly mixed. To determine the presence of lead some of the powder was extracted with ammonium acetate solution.
Details of Analysis
Qualitative tests showed the presence of lead and sulphate in the ammonium acetate solution.
The presence of lead was demonstrated by the black precipitate with hydrogen sulphid, the yellow precipitate with potassium chromate and the typical yellowish crystalline precipitate with potassium iodin.
The presence of sulphates in the ammonium acetate solution was shown by the formation of a precipitate with barium chlorid solution and acetic acid.