B. C. Pedersen, M.D., New York.
To the Editor:—Have you any information concerning the enclosed half page advertisement [of Syphilodol] from the Urologic and Cutaneous Review?
Edward S. Newell, M.D., Pelham, N. Y.
To the Editor:—I am enclosing an advertisement for a substance called “Syphilodol” manufactured in New York. Am not familiar with this article nor have I seen it advertised in the higher class journals. Can you tell me whether The Journal’s department of New and Nonofficial Remedies has passed on this article or whether you have any data concerning it? It looks a trifle fishy to me.
Louis Leroy, M.D., Memphis, Tenn.
To the Editor:—I am sending the enclosed correspondence [Syphilodol letters] to you as it looks as if it might have some interesting features from the point of view of your nostrum department.
Isadore Dyer, New Orleans, La.
Answer.—These are but some of the inquiries that have been received on this subject and it is encouraging to note the scientifically critical attitude of physicians toward new therapeutic agents. According to the French Medicinal Company, Inc., which markets this product, “Syphilodol is a synthetic chemical product of silver, arsenic and antimony....” Nowhere in the advertising matter is there any more definite statement as to the composition of this new “synthetic” than that just quoted. The product is now under examination in the Association’s laboratory and when this is completed a more detailed report will doubtless be forthcoming. At present the work has progressed sufficiently to show that Syphilodol tablets contain considerable quantities of mercury! Although the advertising leaflets claim that the preparation is “the formula of the late Dr. Alfred Fournier of Paris” and had been exhaustively tested by Metchnikoff, who is alleged to have found it superior to salvarsan and neosalvarsan, yet, strange to say, a careful search of French medical journals fails to show any reports on Syphilodol. Verb. sap.—(Query in The Journal A. M. A., Feb. 23, 1918.)
Thialion
To the Editor:—Kindly inform me regarding thialion, manufactured by the Vass Chemical Company, Danbury, Conn. Please omit my name and address in answering in The Journal.