What is Dionol? First it should be said that the preparation comes in two forms: as an ointment and as an emulsion. The ointment, so declare the manufacturers, “is always required”; the emulsion may be used “as an auxiliary treatment.” The Dionol “literature” when stripped of the verbal camouflage with which it abounds may be said to propound the following theories and propositions: First, that the nerves of the body are electric conductors insulated from the surrounding tissues by the nerve sheaths; second, that inflammation breaks down the insulation with the resultant escape of the current and an interference with the normal metabolic action of the cells; third, that Dionol, when applied to the body, penetrates the tissues, “coating the cells and with them the nerve sheaths with a nonconducting layer which is sufficient to insulate the nerve sheaths and stop the leak.”
So much for the theory on which the alleged action of Dionol is based. Dionol itself is a sort of glorified petrolatum. Not, of course, that the manufacturers describe it in any such crude and understandable language. According to the company, Dionol is “composed of pure hydrocarbons, especially selected with regard to specific gravity, viscosity and other necessary physical properties” which has been “perfectly deionized by our special scientific process under the Baines Method.” It appears, from further reading, that ordinary petrolatum will not “turn the trick”; presumably because it does not overcome the human short circuits which the Dionol Company declare are always present in inflammation. When, however, the petrolatum has been subjected to the “Baines Method” it achieves, it seems, an esoteric value that puts to shame its plebeian origin.
The whole thing is very simple. To those physicians that like this sort of thing this preparation should make a strong appeal.—(From The Journal A. M. A., Jan. 26, 1918.)
Glorified Petrolatum
An Indiana physician sends us in a batch of leaflets detailing the marvels of “Dionol” and thus comments:
“I received the enclosed in the mail today and I am puzzled, perplexed and astounded. I had formed the opinion that the profession was getting better; that it was more scholarly than formerly when the two course school was still in existence and any one could matriculate; that it was no longer possible for a ‘patent medicine’ manufacturer to palm off his wares on us. After reading this stuff and realizing that such methods must be remunerative, I am deeply humiliated. Is it possible that educated physicians respond to this kind of advertising? Or has some one perpetrated a joke on me? If the profession can be thus successfully exploited one can no longer wonder at the following which every new ‘ic’ and ‘ism’ acquires.”
It is a pity that the medical profession generally does not react to the Dionol and similar advertising as does our correspondent. As the concern continues to do business, the presumption is that at least some physicians are using Dionol. As was pointed out in The Journal of Jan. 26, 1918, Dionol seems to be a glorified and esoteric form of petrolatum. The exploitation of Dionol is based on the following theory: (1) The brain is a generator of neuro-electricity; (2) the nerves are the conductors of this electricity; (3) the nerve sheaths are the insulator; (4) wherever there is local inflammation the nerves are short circuited, due to a breaking down of the insulation resistance of the nerve sheath; (5) this results in “an escape of neuro-electricity;” (6) Dionol coats the nerve sheaths with a nonconducting layer and this restores the insulation and “stops the leak.”
Whether this ingenious theory was invented to lend an air of verisimilitude to an otherwise bald and unconvincing tale and give a “reason for being” for Dionol or whether Dionol was first invented and it became necessary to evolve a theory that would give some plausibility to the claims made for this etheralized petrolatum, we are unable to say. In any case the theory and the product are exploited together.
Among the material sent in by a correspondent are some “Dionol Case Reports.” Neither the names nor the addresses of the physicians making these reports are given, but the company states that they may be had “on request.” One special “report” is featured under the heading “Infected Wound. Striking Results After United States and French Government Army Surgeons Failed” is signed “Dr. W.” It is dated July 19, 1919. A few months ago the Dionol Company was sending out this same testimonial with the full name and address of the “doctor” giving it. Investigation showed that the “doctor” in question was an osteopath whose specialties, according to his advertisement in his local newspaper, are “Catarrhal Deafness and Hay Fever, Acute and Chronic Diseases”! In this connection it is worth noting that investigation of some of the earlier testimonials sent out by the Dionol concern and alleged to have been given by “doctors” showed that the gentlemen in question were “drugless healers.”