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BRADFORD MEDICO-CHIRURGICAL SOCIETY.
147 in Guy’s HosJames Paget attended by special invitation, and a parallel Lecturer on Medical Jurisprudence, &c., having been drawn between the career of Sir James Paget pital, has kindly just analysed a noted medicine called Clarke’s Blood Mixture," and has appended to his report and Mr. Hewett, Sir James said that scarcely anything had happened to one that had not in a few months after hap- some valuable remarks and suggestions. It will be seen pened to the other. He might next year be president of the from the analysis that the active principle of this mixture College of Surgeons, and the year after it would come to is iodide of potassium in four-grain doses for an adult, four "
Mr. Hewett’s turn. Sir James said he could follow the similarity in many more details, but refrained from doing so lest it should appear that he in any degree, in character, resembled one who had been for many years his great rival in friendship as in other things.
times
a day. I injurious effects
need not tell my professional brethren the the prolonged use ofthis drug must have on the weak and ansemio, who are the people mostly likely to take this mixture attracted by its name. It is probable that many medical gentlemen, especially those in large towns, have treated patients suffering from the effects of quack medicines. If in future they will kindly take notes of such time to time insert them in the BRADFORD MEDICO-CHIRURGICAL SOCIETY. medical cases, and from journals, they will confer a great boon on the profession and a greater boon still upon the public at large. THE thirteenth annual meeting of this Society was held I am, Sir, your obedient servant, in the Council Chamber on the 13th inst. The yearly WILLIAM O’NEILL, M.D. Lincoln, July Mth, 1875. submitted the showed that the secretary report Society by COPY. had made a great advance during its past session. The Report of Analysis of a Liquid described as 11 Clarke’s Worldmembers had increased from forty to fifty, and their attendfarned Blood Mixture or Purifier." ance at the ten meetings of the session had been nearly oneA bottle containing this mixture was forwarded to me by half greater than that of previous years. The communica- Dr. W. O’Neill, of Silver-street, Lincoln, with a request tions submitted to the meetings, of which upwards of thirty that I would make an analysis of it, and inform him of its had been made, had shown more general research and composition. originality than previously. One evening of the session had The bottle was enclosed in several paper-wrappers, been devoted to a general discussion upon the subject of forth a number of cases in which it was alleged that setting vaccination, its benefits and dangers. The result deter- this blood mixture " had wrought many cures in a variety mined the Society to repeat such discussions upon some of diseases. debated medical subject, every succeeding session. A numThe of liquid contained in the bottle was eight ber of important morbid specimens had been added to the ounces. quantity It had a dark brown colour, but was clear and free pathological department. The Society in all respects, finan- from any sediment. It had the smell of chloric ether (a cially and otherwise, was pronounced to be in a most pros- compound of chloroform and alcohol), and a sweetish saline perous condition. The following gentlemen were elected as taste which was not unpleasant. Its reaction on test paper office-bearers for the ensuing session: President, E. was alkaline. On shaking it, it formed a brown-coloured Bronner; Treasurer, W. Whalley; Secretary, D. Goyder; froth. When evaporated to dryness, it left a thick dark Committee, R. H. Meade, J. Foster, P. E. Miall, and J. Dun- saccharine extract, weighing for the half-ounce about lop ; Pathologists, M. Lee and A. Rabagliati ; Auditors, twenty-nine grains. When this extract was incinerated, it W. H. G. Buckley and C. H. Taylor. left a white saline residue which proved to be iodide of potassium. The brown colouring matter had the usual properties of burnt sugar (caramel), the colouring which is used to give a brownish tint to brandy, sherry, and other pale wines. In addition, the mixture contained a small quantity of a solution of potash, just sufficient to correct "Audi alteram partem." the acidity of the burnt sugar. Alcohol and chloroform (as chloric ether) were detected in it. Arsenic, antimony, lead, copper, and other metallic poisons were sought for, but QUACK MEDICINES. the mixture was found to be quite free from any metallic To the Editor of THE LANCET. impregnation. The composition of the mixture was found to be as follows SiR,-With your permission I should like to draw your attention and that of your readers to a subject which, I in eight ounces :-Iodide of potassium, 64 grains; chloric think, is of considerable importance to the medical profes- ether(B.P.),4 draehms; solution of potash (liq. potassaeB P.), 30 minims ; water coloured with burnt sugar to the requisite sion. Every medical man knows that there is a handful of tint, 7? ounces. men who have stepped out of their own legitimate and reThere was no injurious ingredient in the mixture. The spectable calling, and who deal extensively in quack medi- chloric ether is a pleasant stimulant, but the iodide of cines and secret nostrums, often of their own making, and potassium is the efficient medicinal agent. The dose of this who call themselves consulting and operating chemists. salt is moderate ; it amounts to about four grains in each The advertisements of these men penetrate every house, tablespoonful, but this dose is directed to be taken by adult for you cannot take up a periodical or newspaper that is males four times a day, making a daily quantity of sixteen not full of them. I have a local paper before me which grains of the iodide of potassium. contains twenty-five of these advertisements, one person Why such a mixture as this should be designated a having inserted fourteen. When reading these advertise- blood mixture"" and a "blood pui:ifier " is incomprements one is at a loss to know at which to be most hensible. It has no more claim to these titles than nitre, astonished-the assurance of the writers of them or the common salt, sal ammoniac, or other saline medicines which credulity of those who read them. Dr. Fergusson, of operate on and through the blood by absorption. The iodide Bolton, said the other day in his report before the Royal of potassium has been long used’by regular medical practiCommission sitting in Manchester, that the populations of tioners in the treatment of scrofulous, syphilitic, and rheularge towns were degenerating, and the chief causes to matic diseases. Its properties are well known, and there is which he attributed this state of things were drunkenness no novelty in its employment. The only novelty in this and smoking. I think he might also have added the drug- form of mixture is that the iodide is dissolved in water ging of children and the consumption of quack medicines coloured with burnt sugar, and it is described as a " blood to which the working classes are, with a strange infatua- purifier." Iodide of potassium, when used in proper doses and emtion, addicted; this propensity caused no doubt by the insinuating advertisements, and, for the most part, made up ployed in cases which really require it, is a good, safe, and testimonials which are constantly kept before the public. useful medicine. Although in each tablespoonful of the Can nothing be done to stop all this ? But until something mixture the proportion of iodide is small, yet the four doses is effected by legislation, if THE LANCET would devote some directed to be taken daily represent sixteen grains, and if the of its valuable space to the analysis of some of the principal person taking it is not under medical observation, such a quack medicines, great good would be done to the medical daily quantity as this may accumulate in the system and do profession and to the public. Dr. A. S. Taylor, M.D., F.R.S., mischief. "
-
Correspondence.
Mr. Hewett’s turn. Sir James said he could follow the similarity in many more details, but refrained from doing so lest it should appear that he in any degree, in character, resembled one who had been for many years his great rival in friendship as in other things.
times
a day. I injurious effects
need not tell my professional brethren the the prolonged use ofthis drug must have on the weak and ansemio, who are the people mostly likely to take this mixture attracted by its name. It is probable that many medical gentlemen, especially those in large towns, have treated patients suffering from the effects of quack medicines. If in future they will kindly take notes of such time to time insert them in the BRADFORD MEDICO-CHIRURGICAL SOCIETY. medical cases, and from journals, they will confer a great boon on the profession and a greater boon still upon the public at large. THE thirteenth annual meeting of this Society was held I am, Sir, your obedient servant, in the Council Chamber on the 13th inst. The yearly WILLIAM O’NEILL, M.D. Lincoln, July Mth, 1875. submitted the showed that the secretary report Society by COPY. had made a great advance during its past session. The Report of Analysis of a Liquid described as 11 Clarke’s Worldmembers had increased from forty to fifty, and their attendfarned Blood Mixture or Purifier." ance at the ten meetings of the session had been nearly oneA bottle containing this mixture was forwarded to me by half greater than that of previous years. The communica- Dr. W. O’Neill, of Silver-street, Lincoln, with a request tions submitted to the meetings, of which upwards of thirty that I would make an analysis of it, and inform him of its had been made, had shown more general research and composition. originality than previously. One evening of the session had The bottle was enclosed in several paper-wrappers, been devoted to a general discussion upon the subject of forth a number of cases in which it was alleged that setting vaccination, its benefits and dangers. The result deter- this blood mixture " had wrought many cures in a variety mined the Society to repeat such discussions upon some of diseases. debated medical subject, every succeeding session. A numThe of liquid contained in the bottle was eight ber of important morbid specimens had been added to the ounces. quantity It had a dark brown colour, but was clear and free pathological department. The Society in all respects, finan- from any sediment. It had the smell of chloric ether (a cially and otherwise, was pronounced to be in a most pros- compound of chloroform and alcohol), and a sweetish saline perous condition. The following gentlemen were elected as taste which was not unpleasant. Its reaction on test paper office-bearers for the ensuing session: President, E. was alkaline. On shaking it, it formed a brown-coloured Bronner; Treasurer, W. Whalley; Secretary, D. Goyder; froth. When evaporated to dryness, it left a thick dark Committee, R. H. Meade, J. Foster, P. E. Miall, and J. Dun- saccharine extract, weighing for the half-ounce about lop ; Pathologists, M. Lee and A. Rabagliati ; Auditors, twenty-nine grains. When this extract was incinerated, it W. H. G. Buckley and C. H. Taylor. left a white saline residue which proved to be iodide of potassium. The brown colouring matter had the usual properties of burnt sugar (caramel), the colouring which is used to give a brownish tint to brandy, sherry, and other pale wines. In addition, the mixture contained a small quantity of a solution of potash, just sufficient to correct "Audi alteram partem." the acidity of the burnt sugar. Alcohol and chloroform (as chloric ether) were detected in it. Arsenic, antimony, lead, copper, and other metallic poisons were sought for, but QUACK MEDICINES. the mixture was found to be quite free from any metallic To the Editor of THE LANCET. impregnation. The composition of the mixture was found to be as follows SiR,-With your permission I should like to draw your attention and that of your readers to a subject which, I in eight ounces :-Iodide of potassium, 64 grains; chloric think, is of considerable importance to the medical profes- ether(B.P.),4 draehms; solution of potash (liq. potassaeB P.), 30 minims ; water coloured with burnt sugar to the requisite sion. Every medical man knows that there is a handful of tint, 7? ounces. men who have stepped out of their own legitimate and reThere was no injurious ingredient in the mixture. The spectable calling, and who deal extensively in quack medi- chloric ether is a pleasant stimulant, but the iodide of cines and secret nostrums, often of their own making, and potassium is the efficient medicinal agent. The dose of this who call themselves consulting and operating chemists. salt is moderate ; it amounts to about four grains in each The advertisements of these men penetrate every house, tablespoonful, but this dose is directed to be taken by adult for you cannot take up a periodical or newspaper that is males four times a day, making a daily quantity of sixteen not full of them. I have a local paper before me which grains of the iodide of potassium. contains twenty-five of these advertisements, one person Why such a mixture as this should be designated a having inserted fourteen. When reading these advertise- blood mixture"" and a "blood pui:ifier " is incomprements one is at a loss to know at which to be most hensible. It has no more claim to these titles than nitre, astonished-the assurance of the writers of them or the common salt, sal ammoniac, or other saline medicines which credulity of those who read them. Dr. Fergusson, of operate on and through the blood by absorption. The iodide Bolton, said the other day in his report before the Royal of potassium has been long used’by regular medical practiCommission sitting in Manchester, that the populations of tioners in the treatment of scrofulous, syphilitic, and rheularge towns were degenerating, and the chief causes to matic diseases. Its properties are well known, and there is which he attributed this state of things were drunkenness no novelty in its employment. The only novelty in this and smoking. I think he might also have added the drug- form of mixture is that the iodide is dissolved in water ging of children and the consumption of quack medicines coloured with burnt sugar, and it is described as a " blood to which the working classes are, with a strange infatua- purifier." Iodide of potassium, when used in proper doses and emtion, addicted; this propensity caused no doubt by the insinuating advertisements, and, for the most part, made up ployed in cases which really require it, is a good, safe, and testimonials which are constantly kept before the public. useful medicine. Although in each tablespoonful of the Can nothing be done to stop all this ? But until something mixture the proportion of iodide is small, yet the four doses is effected by legislation, if THE LANCET would devote some directed to be taken daily represent sixteen grains, and if the of its valuable space to the analysis of some of the principal person taking it is not under medical observation, such a quack medicines, great good would be done to the medical daily quantity as this may accumulate in the system and do profession and to the public. Dr. A. S. Taylor, M.D., F.R.S., mischief. "
-
Correspondence.