“The effect of SYPHILODOL is very similar to salvarsan and neosalvarsan, but it has the advantage of being more lasting in its results and more pleasing in the manner of its preparations, in that it is put up in the form of tablets, and, also, in hermetically closed glass syringes or ampules, so that it may be administered either by the mouth, intravenously or intramuscularly, at the discretion of the physician. Patients averse to the use of the hypodermic needle may be treated expeditiously by the use of the tablet form of the medicine.”
In addition to Syphilodol, the French Medicinal Co. also sells “Vichi Fruti,” a combination of salts, “Urodol,” an “alkaline salt of the famous European Springs which is noted for breaking up and dissolving uric acid rapidly” and “Syloiodol,” “French Preventive,” which is described as “a solution of iodol incorporated into bougie.”
“Syphilodol,” we are told, is “a synthetic chemical product of silver, arsenic and antimony, scientifically prepared after the formula of the late Dr. Alfred Fournier of Paris.” (Italics ours—Ed.). It is also claimed that “Prof. Metchnikoff and other noted French scientists have made exhaustive tests of syphilodol and found it superior to the other products, in the treatment of syphilis.” In the advertisements, Fournier and Metchnikoff are the only names given of alleged endorsers; both of these men are dead and cannot protest. True, Fournier did considerable work on a legitimate synthetic of antimony, silver and arsenic having a general chemical constitution similar to arsphenamin, but so far as we are aware, there has been no publication by these men on “Syphilodol.” It would seem that the valuable work and high reputation of Fournier and Metchnikoff are being capitalized by the French Medicinal Company in their endeavor to foist a nostrum on the medical profession of this country.
“Syphilodol” comes in two forms—ampules and tablets. An order for two 0.4 ampules brought an elaborate case, much like those used to hold the popular style safety razors. The ampule itself was a “classy” affair evidently made by a glass expert; the hypodermic needle was enclosed in a novel sealed glass device. The price of each ampule is $3. No such fancy garnishments came with the tablets, although they are listed at $4.50 for twenty-five—18 cents a tablet! In the “Syphilodol” advertising it is emphasized that both the tablets and ampules are to be administered. For example:
“Syphilodol is dispensed in the form of tablets and also hermetically closed glass syringes or ampules so that it may be used either by the mouth, intravenously or intramuscularly at the discretion of the physician. An advantage of the tablets is that they can and should be given during the interim between the injections.”
LABORATORY REPORT ON SYPHILODOL
Several samples of “Syphilodol” were sent to the American Medical Association Chemical Laboratory by readers of The Journal. An original bottle of tablets was ordered direct from the French Medicinal Company. The bottle contained 25 yellow tablets, having an average weight of 0.276 gm. (41⁄4 grains). After being powdered, “Syphilodol” was found to be only partially soluble in water (the excipient is soluble) and to be neutral in reaction. These findings contradict the claims on the circular accompanying the bottle to the effect that “Syphilodol is a yellow powder, soluble in water, and has an acid reaction.” Qualitative tests indicated the presence of mercury, sucrose (cane sugar), iodid, calcium, sulphate, fatty material, a trace of silver, a trace of arsenic and a very minute trace of antimony; a red dye was also present. Both qualitative and quantitative data showed that the mercury was present in the form of mercurous iodid (yellow iodid of mercury—hydrargyri iodidum flavum). Quantitative estimations yielded the following:
| Silver (Ag+) | 0.001 | per cent. |
| Mercury (Hg+) | 11.1 | per cent. |
| Iodid (I-) | 7.8 | per cent. |
| Sucrose (cane sugar) | 72.0 | per cent. |
| Ash (calcium sulphate) | 2.5 | per cent. |
| Ether-soluble material (fatty material—petrolatum) | 3.5 | per cent. |
Thus each tablet of “Syphilodol” contains approximately, 3⁄4 grain of mercurous iodid. An ampule of “Syphilodol,” labeled 0.4 gram, contained approximately 1.5 c.c. of a liquid which after evaporation on a water-bath left a residue weighing 0.8 mg., or 1⁄80 grain. A second ampule held about 2 c.c. of liquid, which contained a trace of arsenic (less than 0.00001 gm., or 1⁄6000 grain); a very small amount of mercury was indicated but not definitely established. The liquid had the physical characteristics of water.