L. T. A. Hotten, M.D., Paris, Idaho.
According to a circular in our files, “Alcresta Dental Lotion-Libby” contains “Emetin, the active amebicidal principle of Ipecac, together with Benzoic Acid, Thymol, Eucalyptol and Aromatics.” The theory that emetin is an active amebicide against pyorrhea alveolaris has been exploded. In this connection, it is interesting to note that the firm does not list the product in the latest catalogue in our files.—(Query from The Journal A. M. A., Oct. 29, 1921.)
Calcidin Tablets (Abbott)
To the Editor:—What is the composition of calcidin tablets (Abbott) and what is their value?
J. S.
Answer.—Calcidin is claimed to be a mixture of iodin, lime and starch. In contact with water, the iodin and lime react to form calcium iodid and calcium iodate. By the acid of the gastric juice, the calcium iodid and calcium iodate are decomposed with liberation of free iodin. The administration of calcidin tablets amounts to giving free (elementary) iodin. In the past, the advertising for calcidin has contained the unwarranted claim more or less directly that it was the most effective and only noninjurious preparation of iodin for internal use, and that it possesses all of the valuable properties of the iodin with all of the objectionable effects left out. So far as we know, the effects produced by the administration of free iodin do not differ from those produced by the administration of iodids and, therefore, calcidin has no advantage over the iodids, such as sodium iodid.—(Query in The Journal A. M. A., Sept. 25, 1920.)
Di-Crotalin Treatment of Epilepsy
To the Editor:—Do you have any literature or information relative to the Di-Crotalin treatment for epilepsy? I will be very grateful if you can furnish information as to method of preparation, rationale of the treatment, etc.
R. C. Decker, Captain, M. R. C.,
U. S. Soldiers’ Home, Washington, D. C.
Answer.—Di-Crotalin is a rattlesnake venom preparation sold by the Swan-Myers Company of Indianapolis as a “Treatment for Epilepsy, Chorea, Bronchial Asthma, Chronic or Hereditary Nervous Headache, Nervous Prostration Incident to Change of Life, Hysteria-Mania, Insomnia, Neurasthenia, etc.” Dr. Thomas J. Mays of Philadelphia advocated the use of rattlesnake venom for tuberculosis. Later his former assistant, Dr. R. H. Spangler, used the same material in the treatment of epilepsy. That any measure of success sufficient to justify the adoption of the rattlesnake venom or crotalin treatment for epilepsy has resulted is not to be concluded from the available reports. Still less evidence is there for the use of rattlesnake venom in the list of conditions for which the Swan-Myers Company has recommended its preparation. There are a number of good reasons why a cautious physician will shun the administration of this treatment and advise against it. J. F. Anderson, working in the hygienic laboratory of the United States Public Health Service, reported a death from the crotalin treatment in consequence of infection, and reports that the market supply of crotalin solution and crotalin tablets is highly contaminated. He also found both crotalin and crotalin solution to vary in activity. The use of rattlesnake venom was discussed in The Journal, March 15, 1913, p. 850.—(Query in The Journal A. M. A., Aug. 17, 1918.)