3. As stated at the outset, whatever the tryptic activity of the mixture, it is therapeutically useless. A demonstration of tryptic activity in a mixture containing both pepsin and pancreatin is of merely theoretical interest.
Such activity, of course, cannot be expected, even on theoretical grounds, in liquid mixtures like Elixir Lactopeptine.
The Council therefore again declared Lactopeptine (powder and tablets) and Elixir Lactopeptine ineligible for New and Nonofficial Remedies and authorized publication of the following statement.
W. A. Puckner, Secretary
THE COUNCIL’S REPORT
Lactopeptine powder (New York Pharmacal Association, Yonkers, N. Y.) was examined by the Council in 1907. At that time it was claimed to contain
“... the five active agents of digestion—pepsin, diastase (veg. ptyalin), pancreatin, lactic acid and hydrochloric acid—combined in the proper proportion to insure the best results.”
The examination showed that the preparation was essentially “a weak saccharated pepsin,” containing but small amounts of pepsin, no hydrochloric acid, or mere traces only, and no diastase or pancreatin (The Journal, March 16, 1907).
In 1913, the product was reexamined, because the claims, as to both composition and therapeutic value, were still being made. Samples were tested both of the American product, and of a British product from John Morgan Richards & Sons, London. The original findings were confirmed and the results were published in The Journal, Aug. 2, 1913, p. 358. Nearly four months later (November 24) the New York Pharmacal Association wrote to the Council, objecting to the findings and maintaining that Lactopeptine possesses pancreatic activity and contains (“in loose chemical combination”) hydrochloric acid. In accordance with the custom of the Council, the work was sent back for review to the referee (A), whose conclusions were then tested by a second referee (B), a physiologic chemist, not a member of the Council, selected because of his special knowledge of the subject.