GLYCO-THYMOLINE AND POLIOMYELITIS
One characteristic of the “patent medicine” business is that it trades on fear. Should an epidemic occur the market is flooded with new nostrums purporting to cure or prevent the disease in question, while the manufacturers of older “patent medicines” revamp their advertising so as to make it appear that their preparations are all that stand between the scourge and the public. One has but to remember “Peruna’s” exploitation of the yellow fever epidemic in New Orleans some years ago and the way in which the exploiters of “Pond’s Extract” played on the fears of the public at the time of the former meningitis epidemic in New York City.
At present the public is much exercised over the epidemic of infantile paralysis. Anticipating that the nostrum fraternity would attempt to reap a golden harvest from the public distress, the federal officials issued a bulletin of warning on the subject. Naturally, the bulletin was addressed to the lay public, the government assuming that physicians knew enough to avoid being misled by any such advertising campaigns. Apparently, the assumption is too broad. At any rate, the manufacturers of “Glyco-Thymoline” are circularizing physicians, one of whom writes as follows:
To the Editor:—I am enclosing circular letter that I received this morning which seems to me almost a crime. I do not suppose that there is any way to prevent anything of this sort, but it is certainly a shame to attempt to deceive people in this way. As I recollect, Glyco-Thymoline is almost inert, practically no more efficient than Dobell’s Solution.
E. Fletcher Ingals, M.D., Chicago.
The circular letter referred to was on the stationery of Kress & Owen Company, manufacturers of Glyco-Thymoline. It read:
Dear Doctor:—Regarding Infantile Paralysis, it is conceded that the source of infection is through the Nose, Mouth and Throat.
Taking this measure to be correct, we believe that there is no safer prophylactic measure than the use of Glyco-Thymoline, with three parts of water, as a mouth, tooth and nasal wash, by means of the K. & O. Nasal Douche and the toothbrush.
Glyco-Thymoline tends to promote exosmosis, and prevents the absorption of the germ or toxic matter.
We would be glad to send you samples of both Glyco-Thymoline and the Douche should you so desire.