The Propaganda for Reform in Proprietary Medicines, Vol. 2 of 2

by Council on Pharmacy and Chemistry

SUMMARY

From the foregoing the specimens examined contain the percentages shown in Table 7 of bismuth (Bi), combined tri­brom­phenate and free tri­brom­phenol.

TABLE 7.—PERCENTAGES OF BISMUTH AND OF COMBINED TRIBROMPHENATE AND FREE TRIBROMPHENOL

	Per Cent. Bismuth	Per Cent. Combined Tri­brom­phenate	Per Cent. Free Tribromphenol
Research Council Specimen	44.8	43.13	16.31
Merck & Co.	46.6	53.19	4.56
Heyden Chemical Works	60.7	20.36	0.68

This examination shows:

1. The Bismuth Tri­brom­phenolate submitted to the Council of National Defense, does not correspond to the description of bismuth tri­brom­phenate in New and Non­official Remedies.

2. As now supplied, Xeroform-Heyden does not meet the requirements for bismuth tri­brom­phenate, nor does its composition correspond to that of the product formerly supplied.

3. The description in New and Non­official Remedies of bismuth tri­brom­phenate should provide an upper, as well as a lower, limit for the bismuth content; it should provide tests for the absence of adulterants, and also set a limit of permissible uncombined tri­brom­phenol.

Report to Council of National Defense

The results of this examination with reference to the Research Council specimen having been submitted to the Council on Pharmacy and Chemistry, this body advised the Medical Section of the Council of National Defense as follows: