THE LUCAS LABORATORIES’ PRODUCTS
The Journal has received several inquiries about the products put out by the Lucas Laboratories, Incorporated, of New York City. A typical inquiry is that received from Dr. F. A. Jewett of Brooklyn, who writes:
“The enclosed circular is sent out to the medical profession by Dr. William Lucas, 287 W. 70th St., New York. What do you know of this man and his methods?”
William H. Lucas was graduated by the Medical College of Ohio in 1895 and was licensed in 1897. He is not a member of his local medical society. The products put out by the Lucas Laboratories are for intravenous use, and their method of exploitation indicates that the concern is less interested in the science of therapeutics than it is in taking commercial advantage of the present fad for intravenous medication. The Journal has protested editorially against the unnecessary use of the intravenous administration of drugs, and the abuse of this method of drug giving prompted the Council on Pharmacy and Chemistry recently to emphasize the danger of indiscriminate intravenous medication.
The products of the Lucas Laboratories, Inc., have not been examined either by the A. M. A. Chemical Laboratory or by the Council on Pharmacy and Chemistry. The composition of these products is essentially secret, which in itself should be sufficient to deter physicians from using them. Of course, in accordance with all the tenents of orthodox nostrum exploitation, “formulas” are furnished. Even the crude hieroglyphics that used to be palmed off on the medical profession by nostrum exploiters under the guise of “graphic formulas” are outdone by the Lucas Laboratories in publishing the alleged formulas of its preparations. If we, as physicians, knew more chemistry, the Lucas Laboratories would not find it profitable to publish such ineffable nonsense as that which characterizes their “literature.” For instance:
“ ‘Luvein’ Arsans (Plain)” is said to be: “Di hypo sodio calcio phosphite hydroxy arseno mercuric iodid.” The first part of this “formula” might stand for sodium and calcium hypophosphite. The remainder is meaningless except that it suggests (but does not insure) the presence of arsenic and mercury iodide.
“ ‘Luvein’ Arsans, Nos. 1, 2 and 3.”—“Meta hydroxy iodide sodio arsano mercuric dimethyl benzo sodio arsenate, ai oxy sodio tartaria sulpho disheuyl hydrazin.” Who can venture even a conjecture as to the possible significance of this?
“ ‘Luvein’ Creosophite.”—“Ammonio hydroxy calcio sodio hypo-phosphite arsenous pentoxy iodide.” While the name suggests creosote, the “formula” gives no hint of this. It might refer to hypophosphites of ammonium, calcium and sodium with iodide of arsenic. Whether arsenous (trivalent arsenic) or arsenic (pentavalent arsenic) iodide or both are intended, is a question.
“ ‘Luvein’ Hexacol.”—“Hexa methylenepyro catechin mono methyl amino ether glycerite.” By moving these syllables around like the old “fifteen puzzle” they can be arranged to represent hexamethylenamin and monomethyl-ether of pyrocatechin, or guaiacol, having the “glycerite” left over.