CHAPTER XIII.. Medicines for Amenorrhœa, Etc.

MEDICINES FOR AMENORRHŒA, ETC.

One of the largest classes of proprietary nostrums, and one in which most of the evils connected with secret medicines may be seen at their worst, is that consisting of so-called “female medicines.” The reasons for the abundance of proprietary articles of this kind are not far to seek. In the first place, the gross profit of the trade is very large; as our analyses show, the prime cost of all these medicines is very low, and the selling price of many of them is very high. In the second place, the expenses are low; while many other nostrums require large and expensive advertisements in the newspapers, and on hoardings, etc., these are almost without exception given small advertisements, often of only a few lines, with perhaps some one word, such as “Ladies,” in large type to catch the eye. A third attractive feature is that, as a rule, the business is done directly with the consumer through the post, and there are, therefore, no intermediate profits to be deducted; payment is made in advance, and only the postage has to be reckoned off the full retail price. Fourthly, purchasers are in the nature of the case often persons more than usually susceptible to the plausible promises of cure that are sent out; failure to effect what is promised, far from causing the purchaser to stop wasting her money on the nostrum, is turned to account by offering a “specially strong” variety at a higher price, and behind this is usually a third, or “extra special” at a still higher price, and sometimes even a fourth. Finally, in a very large number of cases, the sale of a nostrum of this class provides an opening for a steady business in other articles of a kind usually bought more or less surreptitiously, and which bear a very high rate of profit.

So much for the gain to the vendor. The harm to the purchaser is similarly of a manifold nature. Perhaps the least important is that the price charged is in very many cases quite exorbitant, pills or mixtures, etc., sold at from ten shillings to a guinea costing only a few pence or less. Much more serious is the fact that the purchaser is induced to take medicines of little value, if any, for a functional derangement which it is always dangerous to treat too lightly. It cannot be too widely known that cessation of the normal period may be a sign of phthisis or other serious illness, and good medical advice ought to be obtained. Further, a large number of these nostrums are the subject of more or less thinly veiled recommendations that they should be used for cutting short an unwelcome pregnancy, and although some of them would be but little likely to be efficacious for this purpose, some contain irritants which are highly dangerous. When cessation of the menses is due to pregnancy, there is no drug or medicine known which will re-establish them and stop the pregnancy without putting the woman’s life in grave danger.

It would be tedious to give detailed extracts from the advertisements of all the articles here described, as is done in other chapters. A few of them are the products of old-established businesses, and are sold through retailers like other proprietary medicines; these are, as a rule, the ones for which the least extravagant claims are made, and they appear almost respectable by comparison with some of the others. In the majority of cases, however, a usual plan is to advertise a “certain cure” at a low price, sometimes 1s. 1¹⁄₂d., or to offer a “free sample” on application. When the low-priced article or the free sample is sent for, the applicant is informed of a “special” kind which is strongly recommended, and the price of which is higher; and this, as already noted, usually leads on to another at a still higher price.

Since pills, such as many of these “remedies” consist of, can be bought wholesale at very low rates, the capital outlay which is necessary for engaging in this kind of business is extremely small. An address is necessary to conduct operations from, but it does not matter if it is that of a garret in a slum--practically none of the purchasers will be any wiser. There is nothing whatever to prevent any ignorant person possessed of a few pounds from buying from a firm of pill-makers at a few pence per gross “female pills” in bulk, or ready boxed, with coatings of three different colours to represent “ordinary,” “strong,” and “extra strong,” putting small advertisements in a few weekly or other newspapers, and after laying out some small further sum on printed copies of fabricated testimonials and circular letters, “signed” by Nurse So-and-So, at once establishing a trade, the profits of which are many hundreds per cent. There is good reason to believe that some of the articles referred to below are the output of just such businesses.

It will suffice to give a few extracts from some advertisements.

Adeline Dumas’s pills are thus advertised:

“To Married Ladies.

Try the French Remedy.

Not a Dangerous Drug, but a wonderful Secret Invention.

Never Fails. Particulars Free to all Applicants.

Address,

M.D., ----, ----, London, N.E.”

“M.D.” may, of course, stand for Madame Dumas, but it can hardly be doubted that it is intended to suggest that the “secret invention” is supplied by a Doctor of Medicine.

In a circular referring to the pills and giving testimonials, etc., they are described as follows:

“Dumas’ Paris Pills.

The Combination Remedy (Protected).

WHAT IS MEANT BY A COMBINATION REMEDY?

Dumas’s Combination Remedy, The Paris Pill (Pilule de Paris) is in reality a carefully selected combination of the most powerful drugs known to Medical and Botanical Sciences, whereby a maximum certainty of producing the desired effect is absolutely assured, the explanation of this remarkable result being as follows: If any specific drug contained in the Paris Pill be not actively suitable for a particular female organization, there are other active ingredients present, which, from their varied and searching nature, are in every way calculated to at once grapple with and overcome the most obstinate case. In the face, therefore, of such a remedy as here described, it can be well understood that there need be no fear of a failure of effect.

Dumas’s Paris Pills, secret, and powerful ingredients (protected by Government stamp) act with instant certainty, in all cases of Irregularities and Suppression of the Menses, incidental to females.”

The clause “protected by Government stamp” is to be noted: the Government stamp is merely a means of collecting the tax on proprietary nostrums, and has not the slightest reference to the real value of their contents. The reference to it here is obviously intended to suggest some sort of official guarantee of value.

“Nurse Powell’s Remedies” illustrate the ascending scale of charges. They are thus advertised:

FREE OFFER TO LADIES.

Our recent offer of a Free Sample of Nurse Powell’s Popular Pellets met with such striking success that we have decided to repeat the offer. Ladies should write for free box, enclosing stamp for postage. Delay is dangerous; write at once and obtain relief.--Nurse F. Powell Remedy Co., ----, ----, London.

An application for a free box as advertised brought a small box containing three white-coated pills, together with a letter, from which the following extracts are taken:

Owing to their proved superiority they have now come to be looked upon as THE LEADING WOMAN’S MEDICINE--a proof of which is that in thousands of homes to-day a box is always to be found, ready for any emergency which may arise. They are composed of ingredients which are PERFECTLY HARMLESS, and will not injure the most delicate constitution, nor disturb one’s usual occupations, yet they FULLY CARRY OUT ALL that is claimed for them. We shall be glad if you will try this sample at once, and let us know the result. In many cases this small quantity has brought about relief and health. We would ask you NOT TO EXPECT TOO MUCH from it, however, but to obtain more and take them regularly EACH DAY until you obtain a beneficial result. They have cured thousands of suffering women who have been on the verge of despair, and we are confident that if you will only persevere with them, and give them a thorough trial, THEY WILL RELIEVE YOU.

The pills were stated to be 1s. 1¹⁄₂d. per box, and this amount was sent with a request for a box. This brought a box containing twenty-four white-coated pills, bearing on the label the words “Nurse Powell’s Popular Pellets cure Anæmia, Debility, Constipation, Headache, and all Female Ailments”; the words “Poplets, Registered,” were printed across the label in red ink. A circular was enclosed on which it was stated--

It should be particularly noted that the pellets are prepared in Two Forms to meet the requirements of the case. The Ordinary Pellets (Price 1s. 1¹⁄₂d. and 2s. 9d.) are prepared as a remedy for Nervousness, Headache, Constipation, Anæmia, Debility, Sleeplessness, Hysteria, Lack of Energy, Wind, Biliousness, Indigestion, Sick Headache, and a general run-down state of the system, and Menstrual Troubles of a slight nature. The Special Pellets (Price 4s. 6d. per box) are expressly compounded for use in all Severe Menstrual Troubles, and should be ordered for Suppression of the Menses, Irregular and Painful Menstruation, Painful Urination, Change of Life, Dragging or Bearing Down Pains, Leucorrhœa (whites), Excessive Flow of the Menses, and all kindred ailments.

A box of the “special pellets” was therefore obtained: these were compressed tablets with a bright purple coating, and were labelled “Nurse Powell’s Popular Pellets for all Female Ailments (Special),” and also bore the words “Poplets, Registered,” in red ink across the label.

Another circular was now enclosed, from which the following extracts are taken:

Special notice!

There are many cases of female irregularities which require special treatment, and which cannot be met by the remedies which cure more ordinary ailments. This fact is well known to the Physician who has made a special study of the female system, and has his own special prescriptions which he applies to the various stages of the ailments as occasion demands.

Whilst it is quite true that Nurse Powell’s Popular Pellets cure all but the more obstinate cases, we find it occasionally necessary that a stronger treatment is required. For this purpose, we supply two preparations prepared from the prescriptions of a celebrated physician, and which he relied upon to cure where every other means had been unavailing.

These remedies are prepared in the form of a pill and a mixture, either of which will be found effective, but in order to obtain the very best results, by far the best method is to take the pills and mixture in alternate doses.

These exceedingly valuable preparations we recommend with the utmost confidence. They are prepared by fully qualified chemists from the purest ingredients obtainable, and most beneficial results are obtained after a few doses.

The price of these remedies is necessarily higher than the ordinary preparations, but compared with the results the cost is small.

Prices

Corrective Pills, 11s. per box; Corrective Mixture, 13s. per bot.; or the two preparations, 21s.

Supplies of both these were obtained.

In a little book sent with the earlier supply, entitled Woman’s Home Doctor, appears the following:

ADVICE TO SUFFERERS FREE.

Many women are in doubt as to the nature of their ailment and the best means to obtain a cure. To all such, we offer our EXPERIENCED ADVICE FREE if full particulars are given to us in a letter. If Nurse Powell’s Popular Pellets will be of no use in your particular case you will be at once told so. Address all letters asking for advice to the Manageress, and mark them “Private” in the top left-hand corner. They will then receive immediate attention and will be treated in the strictest confidence.

In sending for each of these preparations nothing was said with regard to the case for which they were supposed to be intended, but after a short interval a typed letter was received, from which the following extracts are taken:

Dear Madam,--In reply to your communication of a few days ago, we looked carefully into your case, and advised you to persevere with our remedy. It seemed to us that your ailment was similar in almost all respects to many other cases which we have had, and in practically ALL OF THESE the treatment we advise has been taken with ENTIRE SUCCESS, as the grateful letters we have received plainly show.... With all good wishes, and again assuring you of our sympathy and aid, we remain, dear Madam, yours faithfully, The Nurse Powell Remedy Co.

Another advertiser is very frank on the subject of quacks:

“IRRISTUM” never fails, that is the marvel of it. On “Irristum” is stamped the seal of unequivocal success. To it women may turn with the brightest confidence and hope, assured of health and happiness, instead of that wretched depression of animal spirits, and possibly life-long misery, which accrue from a blind confidence in the nostrums of unscrupulous quacks....

Nothing conceivable can be worse or more contemptible than for confiding and suffering women to be the dupes of plausible and unscrupulous adventurers. Not merely is it the pocket, but the paramount question of life-long health which may be imperilled; and here it is that the never-failing efficacy, the privacy, the simplicity, and the rapidity of action characteristic of the “Irristum” medicine, come as a challenge to the world in this most important branch of the healing art....

It is modestly added that:

We do not profess to work wonderful miracles; we only state, with absolute confidence, that if you, who read this, feel the need of such a preparation, you will never do better than send to us at once. It would of course be untrue to say a second bottle is never required. It sometimes happens that a lady has to send for another supply, but in 19 cases out of 20 the whole of the second one is not required....

“IRRISTUM” is unquestionably one of the most priceless blessings of the nineteenth century....

In the case of a medicine which is advertised as “A Woman’s Cure for Women’s Ills,” an account is given of the evolution of the remedy, in the course of which it is stated that:

It is seldom necessary for a woman, if she know where best she may look for help from a sister woman, to consult medical men in these troubles.... One woman, Mrs. Lydia E. Pinkham, was often called to help her neighbours and friends who suffered from the diseases and ailments of women....

So, after a time, she learned to select the most potent roots and herbs, and to steep and compound from them a simple medicine, but one which almost always relieved and cured even when physicians failed....

It is rather surprising therefore to read that

in those rare cases involving some knotty point which she could not answer as she wished, she consulted a good physician and kept notes of what he said.

Surely if this lady could relieve and cure when physicians failed, the consultation should have been the other way round!

Sometimes a French or American origin is claimed, with a suggestion that the preparation is therefore better, as in the following:

“To Ladies.

Do you want a guaranteed remedy for all irregularities?

Do you want something far superior to steel and pennyroyal, bitter apple and all English preparations?

If you do, send for Nurse Grey’s Renowned American Compound Tablets. A truly wonderful discovery, affording surprising results even in the most obstinate cases.

Prices 1s. 3d. and 2s. 9d. (treble quantity) in plain wrapper.”

It is thus clearly conveyed that the marvellous superiority to all English preparations is in the tablets; but in reality they are made to open the way for a more expensive preparation not mentioned in the advertisement. The tablets were sent with a circular letter, from which the following are extracts:

The tablets are certain to do good, and they frequently afford complete relief, though this supply may be insufficient to test their real worth....

Mixtures are MUCH more effective than pills, because they commence to act upon the system IMMEDIATELY, whereas pills have to dissolve before any benefit can be obtained. The Tablets, therefore, cannot ALWAYS be supposed to accomplish what a 4s. 9d. bottle of medicine will, and who would regret so small an outlay, which may be the means of saving pounds.... You are anxious for a certain cure, and this is JUST the medicine you require. It has cured thousands and will cure you. There are only the two prices, namely, 4s. 9d., and Special Compound 10s., post free, securely packed from observation.

The way in which “guarantees” are given and then ignored is shown by “Nurse Mann’s Remedy,” advertised thus:

Free to Ladies.

A Sample of the Most Reliable Remedy ever discovered for irregularities and suppressions can be had, post free. Thousands of letters of thanks testifying to their speedy efficacy after all other things have been tried in vain. Each purchaser sends back testimonials, as they afford relief in every instance. Or write for our Extra Special Treatment at 4s. 6d., which we guarantee to cure every case from any cause whatever (genuine). Guaranteed effective in a few hours. Impossible to fail. Delay is dangerous. Send at once.

Apparently this emphatic “guarantee” was intended to be forgotten as soon as a first transaction had occurred, since, on sending for a 4s. 6d. box of “Extra Special,” a box of pills was sent accompanied by a hectographed letter as follows:

Dear Madam,

If the pills should not prove strong enough to correct the irregularity I should strongly advise you to send at once for my special No. 3 treatment at 21s., which takes effect in a few hours and saves all further worry and expense.

It is perfectly harmless.

Yours faithfully, NURSE MANN.

With regard to the analyses which follow, it is to be noted that many of these preparations are pills, which always contain some excipient, or binding material, and this is often of the nature of a vegetable extract or a mixture of sugar, gum, etc., such as cannot be resolved exactly into its constituents when dealing with only small quantities. Others, again, are mixtures containing decoction of aloes with other vegetable drugs; many also contain quite small quantities of volatile oils, usually oil of pennyroyal, but sometimes with other oils also present. In all such cases it is only possible to give an approximate formula; in many cases some other constituent besides those named may be present in small quantity, but if this is so, in any case it is practically certain that such unnamed constituents are of an ill-defined and usually inert character, since definite active substances can almost always be detected.

DUMAS’S PARIS PILLS.

These are sold at 4s. 6d. per box.

The box contained forty-six pills; these were coated with French chalk, and after removal of the coating had an average weight of 2.9 grains. Examination showed the presence of sulphate of iron, aloes, canella, liquorice, jalap, ginger, wheat-flour, and a trace of oil of pennyroyal. Estimation of the amounts of these ingredients indicated the following formula:

Dried sulphate of iron 38 grains Powdered canella 22 „ Powdered liquorice 22 „ Powdered jalap 12 „ Powdered ginger 6 „ Barbadoes aloes 46 „ Flour 12 „ Oil of pennyroyal 2 minims Excipient In 100 pills.

Estimated cost of ingredients for forty-six pills, ¹⁄₅d.

NURSE POWELL’S POPULAR PELLETS (SPECIAL).

These are sold at 4s. 6d. per box, containing forty-five tablets. The tablets were coated with sugar, dyed externally to a bright purple; the average weight after removing the coating was 2.8 grains. Analysis showed the presence of sulphate of iron, aloes, canella, ginger, oil of pennyroyal, with starch and kaolin. Estimation of the various ingredients indicated the following formula:

Dried sulphate of iron 40 grains Socotrine aloes 67 „ Powdered canella 56 „ Powdered ginger 8 „ Oil of pennyroyal 12 minims Maize starch 16 grains Kaolin 50 „ Excipient In 100 tablets.

Estimated cost of ingredients for forty-five tablets, ¹⁄₂d.

NURSE POWELL’S CORRECTIVE PILLS.

These are sold at 11s. per box, containing forty-two pills.

The pills were greyish-black, and proved to be coated with French chalk and graphite; after removal of the coating the average weight was 4.6 grains. Analysis showed the presence of sulphate of iron, aloes, oil of pennyroyal, jalap, starch, and powdered liquorice; another vegetable substance was present, which agreed in its histological characters with powdered olive stones, a material largely employed in adulterating the cheaper grades of powdered liquorice. Estimation of the various ingredients indicated the following formula:

Dried sulphate of iron 100 grains Socotrine aloes 140 „ Powdered jalap 14 „ Powdered liquorice (adulterated) 80 „ Oil of pennyroyal 10 minims Starch 10 grains Excipient In 100 pills.

Estimated cost of ingredients for forty-two pills, ¹⁄₃d.

NURSE POWELL’S CORRECTIVE MIXTURE.

The price of this is 13s. per bottle, containing eight fluid ounces.

Examination of the liquid showed it to be of the nature of compound decoction of aloes, without saffron, with a trace of chloroform; it was, however, much darker than the official decoction of corresponding strength; no additional drug, however, could be detected, and by adding burnt sugar to the decoction made without saffron a very similar liquid was obtained. Only 4.7 per cent. (by volume) of alcohol was present, instead of the 18 per cent. of the official decoction.

Estimated cost of ingredients of eight fluid ounces, 3d.

IRRISTUM.

The “extra strong” preparation was obtained for analysis. The 10s. bottle of medicine contained six and three-quarters ounces.

Analysis showed it to be an acid syrup of phosphate of iron with quinine; it also contained 5 per cent. by volume of alcohol, which may have been added in the form of a colouring tincture; the colouring matter appeared to be cudbear. Determination of the quantities of the various ingredients gave the following formula:

Quinine sulphate 9 grains Ferrous phosphate 10 „ Dilute phosphoric acid 6 fl. drachms Sugar 3 oz. Rectified spirit 220 minims. Cudbear Water to 6.75 fl. oz.

Estimated cost of ingredients, 2d.

MRS. LYDIA E. PINKHAM’S VEGETABLE COMPOUND.

The price of this is 2s. 9d. and 4s. 6d. per bottle; the package is marked, “Made in U.S.A.” A bottle was found to contain nearly seven fluid ounces.

Analysis showed it to contain 19.3 per cent. by volume of alcohol, and only 0.6 per cent of solid substances; the ash was 0.06 per cent., and consisted of the constituents usual in vegetable preparations; traces of tannin and ammonia were present, and a small quantity of a reducing sugar; no alkaloid was present, and no evidence was obtained of any active principle except a trace of a bitter substance soluble in ether; the remainder (0.3 or 0.4 per cent.) was vegetable extractive, possessing no distinctive characters.

NURSE GREY’S AMERICAN COMPOUND TABLETS.

These “tablets,” or more properly ovoid pills, are supplied at 1s. 3d. and 2s. 9d. per box. A 1s. 3d. box contained twenty-six ovoid pills.

The pills were thinly coated with gelatine coloured black, and had an average weight of 2.5 grains. Analysis showed the principal constituent to be ferrous carbonate, of which they contained 20 per cent. (like the official form of Blaud pill); talc was present to the extent of 19 per cent., with glucose and starch; all the constituents besides the carbonate of iron appeared to be of the nature of excipient, and no other medicinal substance could be detected.

The wholesale price of 5-grain Blaud pills coated is about 3d. per gross.

NURSE MANN’S REMEDY.

The price of this is 4s. 6d. per box for the “Extra Special”; this contained 48 pills.

The pills were coated with talc; after removal of the coating they had an average weight of 3.2 grains. Analysis showed them to contain sulphate of iron, Barbadoes aloes, soap, powdered ginger, cardamom, and cinnamon. The amount of iron in this case corresponded to 88 per cent. of the official aloes and iron pill; there was some ground for suspecting traces of oil of rue and apiol, but without positive evidence of either.

TOWLE’S PENNYROYAL AND STEEL PILLS.

The price of these is 1s. 1¹⁄₂d. per box, and upwards; a 1s. 1¹⁄₂d. box was found to contain 26 pills.

The pills were coated with French chalk and sugar; after removal of the coating the average weight was slightly over 2 grains. Enough oil of pennyroyal was present to give a not very marked odour of the drug, and estimation of the quantity showed about 0.02 grain in each pill; iron sulphate was present, in amount corresponding to 6.7 per cent. of the official exsiccated salt. About 43 per cent. of the pill consisted of powdered capsicum, and no other active ingredient was found, the remainder being excipient and moisture. The formula is thus, approximately:

Dried sulphate of iron 14 grains Powdered capsicum 86 „ Oil of pennyroyal 3 minims Excipient In 100 pills.

Estimated cost of the drugs, for twenty-six pills, ¹⁄₈d.

DR. JOHN HOOPER’S FEMALE PILLS.

These pills are stated to be prepared under letters patent granted to Dr. John Hooper in 1743.

Examination of the letters patent granted in 1743 showed that a patent for pills was taken out in that year by a Dr. John Hooper; in those days, however, so-called “specifications” appear to have been accepted which specified practically nothing, and no hint is given as to the composition of the pills, except that they are composed of “the best purging stomatick and antihysterical ingredients.” The results of examination of the pills showed them to have an average weight of 1.2 grains, and to contain sulphate of iron (equivalent to 8.4 per cent. of the exsiccated salt), aloes, powdered senna, jalap, and canella bark, with a trace of oil of pennyroyal. A similar pill is given by the following formula:

Dried sulphate of iron 10 grains Powdered senna 48 „ Powdered canella 27 „ Powdered jalap 17 „ Aloes 13 „ Oil of pennyroyal 2 drops Excipient In 100 pills.

Estimated cost of the drugs, for forty-one pills, ¹⁄₅d.

KEARSLEY’S ORIGINAL WIDOW WELCH’S FEMALE PILLS.

The price of these is 1s. 1¹⁄₂d. per box containing twenty pills.

The pills had an average weight of 3.8 grains, and were found to contain sulphate of iron (equal to 29 per cent. of the exsiccated salt), sulphur (2.7 per cent.), with powdered liquorice, powdered turmeric, maize starch, and excipient. The vegetable powders were estimated to be present in the amounts given in the following formula:

Dried sulphate of iron 120 grains Precipitated sulphur 12 „ Powdered liquorice 65 „ Powdered turmeric 34 „ Excipient In 100 pills.

Estimated cost of drugs, for twenty pills, ¹⁄₂₀d.

DR. DAVIS’S FAMOUS FEMALE PILLS.

The price of these pills is 1s. 1¹⁄₂d. per box, containing twenty-three.

The pills were found to be coated with French chalk; after removal of the coating the average weight was 2.7 grains. Examination showed the presence of sulphate of iron (equal to 16 per cent. of exsiccated salt), powdered savin (about 57 per cent.), and a bitter substance; it was not possible to determine whether a bitter extract, such as extract of gentian, had been used as excipient, or whether a small quantity of extract of colocynth was contained in the pill. If the latter, the formula is approximately

Dried sulphate of iron 46 grains Powdered savin 154 „ Extract of colocynth 3 „ Excipient In 100 pills.

Estimated cost of drugs, in twenty-three pills, ¹⁄₆d.

DR. DAVIS’S FAMOUS FEMALE MIXTURE.

The price of this is 2s. 9d. per bottle, containing two fluid ounces.

The principal ingredient found was oil of pennyroyal, of which about 0.8 per cent. was present, with 9 per cent. of alcohol (by volume), and about 4 per cent. of glycerine. The mixture also contained 0.8 per cent. of undissolved substance; this contained a trace of magnesia (no doubt employed in mixing in the oil of pennyroyal); the insoluble and dissolved substances gave evidence of the presence of extract of gossypium, but as this contains no definite active principle, and there is no standard method for preparing it, the quantity could not be determined. The whole of the drug extractive present did not appear to be derived from gossypium, but the other ingredient could not be identified with any ordinary drug, after comparison with a considerable number. A trace of some alkaloidal substance (under 0.01 per cent.) was also present.

JEFFERSON DODD’S CORRECTIVE.

This mixture is sold at 2s. 9d. per bottle, containing 4 fluid ounces.

Analysis showed the presence of the constituents of decoction of aloes, except saffron, together with a small quantity of chloroform; the alcohol, however, only amounted to 5.3 per cent. (by volume). A “concentrated decoction of aloes, without saffron,” is largely sold as a cheaper substitute for the official preparation; the latter, however, whether with or without the saffron, cannot properly be prepared of the concentration commonly employed (1 = 4) on account of the amount of tincture of cardamoms, and the alcohol is therefore diminished in the concentrated preparation, and may consequently vary in the preparations of different makers. The following formula:

Concentrated decoction of aloes without saffron (1 to 3), 1 part Chloroform water, 2 parts Water to 8 parts (all by measure),

gave a mixture agreeing in all respects, except the amount of alcohol present, with the one under examination.

Estimated cost of ingredients of 4 ounces, ⁹⁄₁₀d.

JEFFERSON DODD’S FEMALE PILLS.

The price of these pills is 1s. 1¹⁄₂d. per box, containing thirty-six.

The pills were found to be coated with French chalk, and after removal of the coating had an average weight of 3.4 grains. Analysis showed sulphate of iron to be present (equal to 8.9 per cent. of exsiccated salt), with aloes and powdered liquorice, the remainder being excipient and moisture. The following formula gave a similar pill:--

Dried sulphate of iron 34 grains Powdered liquorice 72 „ Barbadoes aloes 142 „ Excipient In 100 pills.

Estimated cost of drugs for thirty-six pills, ¹⁄₆d.

MARTIN’S APIOL AND STEEL PILLS.

These are sold at 4s. 6d. per bottle, containing forty-nine pills.

The pills were coated with French chalk, coloured pink with eosin; after removal of the coating the average weight was 3.8 grains. Iron was found to be present in the metallic state to the extent of 2 per cent.; powdered cinnamon, powdered cardamom, and aloes were also found, and about 3 per cent. of apiol; estimation of the amounts of the drugs and comparison with pill-masses prepared for the purpose indicated the following formula:

Reduced iron 10 grains Barbadoes aloes 150 „ Apiol 12 „ Powdered cinnamon 75 „ Powdered cardamom 55 „ Excipient In 100 pills.

Estimated cost of ingredients, for forty-nine pills, ³⁄₄d.

FOURNIER’S HYGENIQUE MIXTURE FOR FEMALES (EXTRA STRONG).

The price of this is 11s. 0d. per bottle holding twenty fluid ounces.

Examination showed the mixture to consist of compound decoction of aloes, with the addition of a very small quantity of iron; the amount of the latter corresponded to 0.45 per cent. of the crystalline ferrous sulphate, or two grains in a dose. A further difference between this mixture and the official decoction of aloes was that this only contained 3.9 per cent. of alcohol, against 18 per cent. in the preparation of the British Pharmacopœia.

Estimated cost of ingredients for twenty fluid ounces, 1s. 1d.

MONAID TABLETS.

The price of these is 2s. 9d. per box containing fifty-nine tablets.

The tablets are described as “chocolate coated”; in reality they were coated with sugar coloured to a chocolate-brown with iron oxide. After removal of the coating, the average weight of one was 2.2 grains. They contained neither iron, aloes, pennyroyal, or any powdered vegetable drug, and no alkaloid. Oleo-resin of capsicum was present to a rather considerable extent, and almost the whole of the remaining material of the tablets consisted of a substance agreeing in all respects with caulophyllin; the two were compared by various tests, but as there are no definite reactions for caulophyllin, and it possesses no characteristic smell, taste, etc., it cannot be quite positively asserted that this was the substance present. Enough oil of caraway was present to give a slight odour, and small quantities of flour and kaolin; there was some indication of another substance, but nothing further could be identified.

SANOL CONES.

Two varieties of these were examined, viz.:

SANOL CONES (ORDINARY). Price 4s. 6d. per box, containing sixteen cones. These “cones” were small suppositories rounded at one end and tapering towards the other; they were of an average weight of 13.2 grains. They contained sulphate of iron corresponding to 1.5 per cent. of the exsiccated salt, quinine corresponding to 6.6 per cent. of the ordinary sulphate, and about 2 per cent. of a vegetable powder, which proved to be gentian root; the remainder consisted of oil of theobroma. The formula is thus:--

Dried sulphate of iron 22 grains Sulphate of quinine 87 „ Powdered gentian 26 „ Oil of theobroma 1,200 „ In 100 cones.

Estimated cost of ingredients of sixteen cones, under 1¹⁄₂d.

SANOL CONES (SPECIAL). Price 11s. per box, containing thirty-six cones. These were similar in size and shape to the preceding, but differed in being of a green colour. Analysis showed the presence of quinine sulphate, 5.5 per cent., and powdered gentian about 4 per cent.; the base was oil of theobroma. No other medicament could be detected; the green colouring matter was small in quantity and dissolved in fat, a similar product being obtained by colouring oil of theobroma with commercial chlorophyll. The formula is thus:

Sulphate of quinine 72 grains Powdered gentian 52 „ Oil of theobroma (tinted green) 1,200 „ In 100 cones.

Estimated cost of ingredients in thirty-six cones, 3d.

I.R.S. COMPOUND GOLDEN TABLETS.

The price of these is 1s. 1¹⁄₂d. per box, containing twenty-four.

The “tablets” were ovoid pills coated with French chalk, “gilded” on the surface; the “gilding” showed the composition of so-called gold paint, containing copper but no gold. After removal of the coating the average weight of the pills was 2 grains; analysis showed them to contain sulphate of iron equivalent to 48 per cent. of the exsiccated salt, and sodium carbonate, producing ferrous carbonate on addition of water; the other ingredients were starch, gum, and moisture. The amounts of ferrous sulphate and sodium carbonate were not properly adjusted for converting the whole of the former to ferrous carbonate, but the composition was variable. One specimen showed 48 per cent. of dried ferrous sulphate, one-fourth of which was converted to ferrous carbonate on treatment with water; another gave only 37 per cent. of dried ferrous sulphate, two fifths of which formed ferrous carbonate. The formula is thus approximately:

Dried sulphate of iron 86 grains Dried sodium carbonate 25 grains Excipient In 100 pills.

Estimated cost of ingredients of twenty-four pills, ¹⁄₁₅d.

MRS. SHAFFER-BENNYON’S REMEDY.

This is supplied at 4s. 8d. per box, containing fourteen suppositories for rectal use.

On the wrapper of the box it was stated that:

These cones are composed of Theobroma, Cerum, Fer Lac. Sol. Quinæ, Sulph, Ol, Rutae, Crab, Etc.

(the stops being as here given).

The fourteen suppositories had an average weight of 14.2 grains each. Analysis showed them to contain

Quinine sulphate 5.1 per cent. Boric acid 4.9 „ Oil of theobroma 2.75 fl. oz.

They had a slight green tint, and a faint odour which may have been due to a trace of oil of rue. No iron was present (Fer Lac. being presumably some form of iron), and no “crab” was found. Each suppository thus contains quinine sulphate 0.73 grain, boric acid 0.70 grain. The estimated cost of the materials for fourteen suppositories is 1d.

MRS. STAFFORD-BROOKES’ PELLOIDS.

These are supplied at 4s. 6d. per box, containing sixteen pessaries.

The resemblances between this preparation and the former one are far too numerous to be accidental. The name of the proprietor, the nature of the claims made, the wording of the advertisements, the general appearance of the package supplied, and the style and wording of all the circulars, are very similar in the two cases. The chief difference is that the cones are placed in the rectum in the one case and in the vagina in the other, but it can make no practical difference where the ones about to be described are placed.

On the package appears the statement:

These Pelloids are Guaranteed Harmless, and contain Sulph. Quinae., Ol. Theobroma, Rad. Anchusae, Myrrh, A. Bor, etc., etc.

The “Pelloids” consisted of suppositories, or pessaries, of an average weight of 14.2 grains, coloured pink with a preparation of alkanet (Rad. Anchusae); analysis showed them to contain 2.3 per cent. of boric acid, with oil of theobroma, and a minute trace of quinine, not sufficient to give the slightest perceptible bitter taste; no myrrh or any other ingredient could be detected.

Each “Pelloid” thus contains: Boric acid, 0.37 grain.

The estimated cost of the materials for the sixteen pessaries is 1d.

NURSE HAMMOND’S IMPROVED REMEDIES.

These are supplied in three forms, known as “Treatment No. 1,” price 5s. 6d.; “Treatment No. 2,” price 10s. 6d.; and “Treatment No. 3,” price 21s.

“Treatment No. 2” was selected; this consisted of an 8-oz. bottle of liquid, 16 tablets, and 16 pills.

The Mixture.--The bottle contained 8 fluid ozs. Analysis showed the liquid to contain 2.8 per cent. by volume of alcohol, between 2 and 3 per cent. of glycerine, and a very little extractive; the latter possessed no characters by which it could be identified, but its vinous smell and taste, slight acidity, and alkaline ash, and the presence of a reducing sugar in moderate amount, all suggested the presence of a small quantity of wine. No active principle of any sort could be detected beyond a minute trace of an alkaloid, and there was no evidence of any other medicinal substance.

The Pills.--Sixteen pills were sent. They were coated with talc, and after removal of the coating had an average weight of 2.9 grains. Analysis showed the principal ingredient to be ferrous carbonate, which formed 17 per cent. of the pill; other ingredients were soap (1 per cent.), powdered liquorice root, wheat starch, sodium sulphate (formed in the production of the ferrous carbonate), and excipients. No alkaloid or other active principle was found. The pills were thus a form of Blaud’s pill, somewhat weaker than the official iron pill.

The Tablets.--Sixteen tablets were sent. They were coated with a mixture of talc, carbonate of magnesia, sugar and starch, and coloured pink externally. After removal of the coating they had an average weight of 4.1 grains. Analysis showed the presence of aloin, powdered tansy herb, powdered liquorice in considerable quantity, and talc. No alkaloid was present, and no other constituent was detected.

GAUTIEUR’S FEMALE PILLS.

The price of these is 7¹⁄₂d. and 2s. 3d. per box; a 7¹⁄₂d. box contained twelve pills.

The pills were ovoid in shape, coated with talc coloured pink; after removal of the coating they had an average weight of 3.8 grains. Analysis showed the presence of a very small quantity of an aromatic essential oil, which appeared to consist of oils of pennyroyal and rue, and possibly tansy; the quantity was far too small for its components to be separated and identified positively. A small quantity of apiol appeared to be present, but this substance possesses no characters by which it can be positively identified in such a mixture; the principal constituents were exsiccated sulphate of iron--forming 10 per cent. of the pill--and soap--present to the extent of 11 per cent., and probably added to assist in incorporating the apiol and essential oils; powdered liquorice was present to the extent of about 30 per cent., and a little powdered ginger; traces of other vegetable tissue were to be seen, but in such small quantity that it was probably only accidental; a bitter substance was present in small quantity, which was apparently (but not quite certainly) Socotrine aloes.

DR. PATTERSON’S FEMALE PILLS.

These are supplied in boxes at 2s. 9d.; “special extra strong,” 4s. 6d. A 2s. 9d. box contained twenty-seven pills.

The pills were coated with talc, and coloured pink. After removal of the coating, they had an average weight of 3.2 grains. Analysis showed them to contain sulphate of iron, Barbadoes aloes, soap, powdered ginger, cardamom, and cinnamon. All these ingredients except the soap occur in the official aloes and iron pill; the amount of iron found corresponded to about 70 per cent. of the latter mass in the pills under examination. A slight aroma other than that from the constituents named may have been due to a trace of oil of rue, and a small quantity of apiol may have been present, but no positive evidence of its presence was obtained.

HORTON’S BENEDICT PILLS.

The price of these is 1s. 1¹⁄₂d. and 2s. 9d. per box. A 1s. 1¹⁄₂d. box contained forty-nine pills.

The pills had an average weight of 4 grains; analysis showed them to contain sulphate of iron, Socotrine aloes, powdered ginger in considerable quantity, and a small amount of another vegetable powder which appeared to be gentian. The amount of iron corresponded to 10 per cent. of the exsiccated sulphate.

BLANCHARD’S APIOL AND STEEL PILLS.

Blanchard’s Pills are supplied at 1s. 1¹⁄₂d. per box, containing twenty-four.

The pills were coated with talc, and after removal of the coating had an average weight of 1.9 grains. Analysis showed the presence of sulphate of iron, soap, Barbadoes aloes, powdered ginger, cardamom, and cinnamon; evidence was also obtained of the presence of a little apiol, but the characters of this substance are not sufficiently well defined for the amount to be determined quantitatively. The soap was 3 per cent. of the pill, and was no doubt added to assist in incorporating the apiol; the other ingredients represent the official aloes and iron pill, present to the extent of about 80 per cent.

NURSE LILLY’S FEMALE PILLS.

These pills are supplied at 1s. 1¹⁄₂d. and 2s. 9d. per box; a 1s. 1¹⁄₂d. box contained thirty-three pills.

The pills were coated with talc, and after removal of the coating had an average weight of 1.9 grains. Analysis showed the presence of sulphate of iron (12 per cent. of the exsiccated salt), Socotrine aloes, cinchonine sulphate (3.3 per cent.), powdered capsicum (about 30 per cent.), and a little powdered ginger and oil of pennyroyal; a small quantity of a powdered beetle was also present, probably due to the capsicum having been beetle-infested (so-called “worm-eaten”).

BLAK THYROL FEMALE PILLS.

These pills are supplied at the following prices: No. 2, 2s. 6d.; No. 3x (strong), 3s. 6d.; No. 4 (extra), 5s.; No. 5x (special), 7s. 6d. per box. The variety analysed was No. 3x, a 3s. 6d. box of which contained 48 pills.

The pills are advertised in the following terms:

Blak Thyrol is a moon plant originally discovered in South Virginia, and its compound was found to have the most specific control over all the Blood Vessels of the body. By building up the system to its utmost capacity, it cannot fail to remove all obstructions and irregularities, which chiefly lie between the Fallopian Tubes, Broad Ligaments, and the Overies (sic)--these organs always needing assistance and are entirely under the influence of the moon. Blak Thyrol being a moon plant, is in complete sympathy with all the affected organs, and puts them in an excellent condition to do their work, provided they are taken exactly as directed. Send for a box at once; time is precious.

The pills were coated with talc, coloured black. After removal of the coating they had an average weight of 5.1 grains. They contained sufficient oil of pennyroyal to give them a fairly strong odour of the drug. Analysis showed them to contain reduced iron, arsenic in small quantity, a trace of alkaloid, powdered ginger, a little powdered liquorice, and another vegetable powder. The reduced iron amounted to 14 per cent. of the pill, or 0.7 grain in each; the arsenic, calculated as arsenious acid, was 0.06 per cent., or about ¹⁄₃₀₀ grain in each; this proportion of arsenic might be present as an impurity in a bad sample of reduced iron. The trace of alkaloid which was present was neither strychnine nor a solanaceous alkaloid, showing the absence of extracts of nux vomica, belladonna, and henbane, and it was probably derived from the unnamed vegetable powder. The microscopical characters of the latter did not agree with those of any drug usually employed as an emmenagogue or a purgative, and after careful comparisons it could not be identified; presumably it is the “moon plant originally discovered in South Virginia.” No aloes, soap, or powdered colocynth was present. The extractive and resinous matter present possessed no distinctive characters, and probably represented only the constituents of the powdered drugs dissolved by the solvents employed in the analysis, together with the excipient used for making up the pill.

A MEDICINE FOR ENSURING EASY CONFINEMENTS.

The remaining nostrum here described is for a different purpose from the preceding, as the extracts from advertisements given below show.

MATROZONE.

This is a preparation supplied by a firm in a northern seaport at 5s. 6d. per package containing two bottles marked A and B, each holding one fluid ounce.

The purpose for which it is intended is indicated by the statement on the first page of the booklet which is sent with it:--

Matrozone Promotes Natural, Rapid, and Easy Confinement. Ensures Healthy, Beautiful, and Bright Children

The booklet proceeds to give an account of the origin of the medicine. In a copy of the pamphlet sent out in 1908 it is stated that:--

This treatment is the result of the patient investigation of a Minister of Religion.... When a young man pursuing his studies with a view to qualifying for the Medical Profession he was profoundly impressed by the death of a young wife, closely associated with his family, in her first confinement.

Realising vividly both the pain and peril involved in child-bearing he turned to see if any possible help could be given to the mother by appropriate drugs--if her system could be gently and scientifically prepared for the great strain to be brought upon it. While turning from the medical profession to enter the Christian Ministry, he did not for a moment relinquish his scientific and medical studies, or abandon his quest.

Through one pastorate extending over thirty-three years, he kept his purpose in view.

But in a copy of the booklet sent out in 1911 the statement appears thus--

Matrozone (pronounced “Maytrozone”) is the result of the prolonged and patient investigation of a Scientist. When a young man, pursuing his studies with a view to qualifying for the Medical Profession, he was profoundly impressed by the death of a young wife, closely associated with his family, in her first confinement, etc.

And the references to his “turning from the medical profession,” and to the pastorate of thirty-three years are omitted. In the following extracts there is no difference of importance between the two pamphlets:--

Drug after drug was examined, studied, and carefully experimented with, until several gave proof, when accurately and proportionately combined, of their power to render incalculable help in every case experimented upon.

His first impulse was to make widely public the result of his observations and experiments, but riper consideration showed him that this was quite impracticable. Such a publicity could not possibly be obtained. The great majority of the people would certainly never hear of it.

Then the preparations were most delicate. They had to be made not only with skill, but with extreme conscientiousness, and they had to be administered in a carefully ascertained order. Only trained pharmacists could prepare them, and without oversight or check, they might be prepared carelessly, and so rendered abortive....

The first great function of “Matrozone” in its two forms is to facilitate parturition; or, in other words, to ensure natural, speedy, and easy childbirth.... In all the cases in which it has already been tried, and of which notes have been carefully kept, it has proved itself of inestimable service. In many cases the child has been healthily born Before the Doctor Has Arrived, the mother has made a quick and spontaneous recovery, and the babe has proved sound, bright, and thriving.... It powerfully but naturally regulates the health of the mother during the later months of gestation. It corrects the tendency to hysteria, and to hysteric headaches. It has a specific and remarkable power to obviate false presentations.... A second great function of “Matrozone” is to induce vigour, buoyancy, physical beauty, and intellectual brightness in the child. This is one of its most remarkable and beneficent achievements....

Length of Treatment.

To obtain its best effects in the hour of labour it should be used daily for at least a month before the accouchement is expected. It would be much safer, however, to commence its use six weeks before, especially where difficulties are anticipated, and in first confinements.

Dose.

“Matrozone” may be better described as an elegant and scientific treatment than as a single preparation. Its ingredients are so subtle, and have such a distinct and delicate action, that it is prepared in two forms--A and B. Ten drops of the preparation A should be taken in a little tepid water every morning, half an hour before breakfast, and ten drops of the preparation B should be taken in a little tepid water every evening half-an-hour before food.

Analysis of the liquid in the bottle marked A showed it to contain 68.9 per cent. (by volume) of alcohol, and water. The total solid matter was too small in amount to be weighed (unless by working on a large amount of the liquid), and might easily be accounted for by tap water having been used to dilute the alcohol. No trace of alkaloid was shown by the most delicate test. The residue showed a minute trace of organic matter, but it was, of course, impossible to say whether this was due to an infinitesimal quantity of some plant extract, etc., or to dust and other chance contamination of the liquid.

The liquid in the bottle marked B contained only 60.3 per cent. by volume of alcohol, but in other respects resembled that in the other bottle.

The cost of the alcohol in the two bottles together would be about 3¹⁄₂d.

A GERMAN NOSTRUM.

Dr Zernik states that:--

Dr. med. R. Kleinertz’s Quidestin is advertised in a most catchy manner. The advertisement includes the following passages: “What is it? It is a comfort to those about to become mothers.” The directions for use are as follows: A tablespoonful of the extract is to be placed in a thick walled small cup or other similar vessel, and this is placed in a pail. The fluid is then lighted, and the patient is to allow the fumes to play around her abdomen and legs, until they are thoroughly warmed. This is to be repeated twice a day for the last six weeks of pregnancy. The composition is given as blackthorn, camomile, eucalyptus, hoarhound, shepherd’s pouch, and cheese rennet extracted in alcohol. The analysis showed that quidestin is a weak extract of various indifferent vegetables, including eucalyptus and camomile in 90 per cent. spirit. Apart from the impossibility of the fumes being of therapeutic value, Zernik points out the highness of the price, 5s. per litre bottle, sufficient for three weeks.