HYDRAS

“Each two fluidrachms contain:“Acidulated Bone Phosphor O. P. Co.2grains“Calcium Glycerinophosphate, Merck & Co.11⁄2grains“Magnesium Glycerinophosphate, Merck & Co.11⁄2grains“Sodium Glycerinophosphate, Merck & Co.21⁄2grains“Lactated Pepsin2grains“Ignatia Extract1⁄20grain“C. P. Glycerin (Special Process) O. P. Co.50 per cent.

“Acidulated Bone Phosphor O. P. Co.

“Calcium Glycerinophosphate, Merck & Co.

“Magnesium Glycerinophosphate, Merck & Co.

“Sodium Glycerinophosphate, Merck & Co.

“Lactated Pepsin

“Ignatia Extract

“C. P. Glycerin (Special Process) O. P. Co.

“Acidulated bone phosphor” presumably is acid phosphate of calcium. This formula is an unscientific shotgun combination.

Robinol, manufactured by John Wyeth and Brother, Philadelphia, is called a “Universal Tonic.” It is said to be:

“A preparation of the glycerophosphates of lithium, calcium, sodium, iron, manganese, quinine, with 1-16 gr. strychnine glycerophosphate in each fluidounce.”

This is a semisecret preparation, since the quantities of most of the ingredients are not given and the vehicle is not named. This complex combination, too, is unwarranted.

This is said to be prepared by the Laboratories de Pharmacologie Générale, Dr. Ph. Chapelle, Paris and New York. It is sold in this country by E. Fougera and Co., Inc., New York. It is offered in several forms, especially in that of wine, which is called the “Medicinal Wine and Tonic Par Excellence.” The alcohol is no doubt the constituent to which this preparation is indebted for such popularity as it has attained, for it is much more freely advertised than the syrup, capsules or granulated form. The usual claims are made with regard to the efficacy of calcium glycerophosphate “during convalescence, in cases of enfeebled vitality, and nervous affections associated with an excessive elimination of phosphates.”

This is manufactured by Sharp and Dohme, Baltimore. The manufacturers’ statement of composition is:

“Each fluidounce represents Nux Vomica 8 grains, Damiana 64 grains, combined with Glycerophosphates of Calcium and Sodium.”“Alcohol 20 per cent.”

“Each fluidounce represents Nux Vomica 8 grains, Damiana 64 grains, combined with Glycerophosphates of Calcium and Sodium.”

“Alcohol 20 per cent.”

Sharp and Dohme call this mixture a “Reconstructive Nerve Stimulant, Aphrodisiac,” and claim that:

“Phosphorus in elemental form has long been prescribed under the title of Elixir Phosphorus, Nux Vomica and Damiana, but due to the rapidity of chemical change occurring in preparations containing this form of Phosphorus, much of the Physiologic action is lost. The Glycerophosphates present Phosphorus in its most available form—the form in which it exists in the brain and nervous system. They powerfully stimulate the functions of nutrition and are rapidly assimilated by the system.“Nux Vomica is a general Nerve Tonic. Damiana exerts a stimulant effect upon the sexual appetite and function.”

“Nux Vomica is a general Nerve Tonic. Damiana exerts a stimulant effect upon the sexual appetite and function.”

The claim that the glycerophosphates may be substituted for elementary phosphorus is, at least, novel.

The elixir is an unscientific semisecret combination.

All of the preparations mentioned violate Rule 6 (unwarranted therapeutic claims). In addition, Robinol and Elixir Glycerophosphates, Nux Vomica and Damiana violate Rule 1 (secrecy of composition) in that not all the quantities of the ingredients are declared; Tonols, Phosphorcin Compound and Robinol violate Rule 8 (objectionable names). It is recommended that the Council endorse Marshall’sfindings98and declare that Tonols (Schering and Glatz), Phosphorcin Compound (Eimer and Amend), Robinol (John Wyeth and Brother), Phosphoglycerate of Lime Chapoteaut (E. Fougera and Co.), and Elixir Glycerophosphates, Nux Vomica and Damiana (Sharp and Dohme) are ineligible for New and Nonofficial Remedies.—(From The Journal A. M. A., Sept. 30, 1916.)

Hydras, sold by John Wyeth and Brother, Philadelphia, is one of the many proprietary, so-called “uterine tonics.” It is said to contain “Cramp Bark, Helonias Root, Hydrastis, Scutellaria, Dogwood and Aromatics,” but as the amounts of the several ingredients are not given the statement regarding its composition is valueless. The label declares the presence of 24 per cent. alcohol.

The name “Hydras,” taken in connection with the statement of composition, would suggest that hydrastis (golden-seal) is an important constituent. The report of the Chemical Laboratory of the American Medical Association, however, indicates that hydrastis is present in unimportant amounts:

“The hydrastin content of Hydras was determined by extraction with immiscible solvents (Pharm. Review, May, 1908, p. 132). Twenty-five c.c. was found to yield an alkaloid residue of 0.0160 gm. The preparation contains, therefore, not more than 0.064 gm. ‘hydrastin’ per 100 c.c. Inasmuch as hydrastis is required to contain about 2.5 per cent. ‘hydrastin,’ hydras contains an equivalent of not more than 2.56 gm. hydrastis (golden seal) in 100 c.c. and the stated dose of Hydras—one dessertspoonful (8 c.c.)—represents not more than 0.2 gm. or1⁄10of the U. S. P. average dose of hydrastis.”

The label of a recently purchased bottle of Hydras bears the following recommendations for its use:

“Indicated in treatment of Dysmenorrhea, Menorrhagia Anti-Abortive, with anodyne and tonic properties.”“For dysmenorrhea, suppressed menses, etc., a dessertspoonful three times daily, before or after meals.”“To relieve pain due to uterine disorders, a dessertspoonful every three hours, or increased to a tablespoonful, at the discretion of the attending physician.”

“Indicated in treatment of Dysmenorrhea, Menorrhagia Anti-Abortive, with anodyne and tonic properties.”

“For dysmenorrhea, suppressed menses, etc., a dessertspoonful three times daily, before or after meals.”

“To relieve pain due to uterine disorders, a dessertspoonful every three hours, or increased to a tablespoonful, at the discretion of the attending physician.”

A circular wrapped around the bottle declares that Hydras is:

“A valuable preparation to the physician in the treatment of dysmenorrhea, colic, cramps, spasm, palpitation incident to pregnancy, and the various pains resulting from diseases of the female sexual organs.”

It is further claimed that:

“In the dysmenorrhea of young girls due to some mechanical difficulty, as anteflexion or of a congestive character, of suppressed menses from exposure to cold and other causes of a similar character, Hydras will prove efficient and can be administered freely without danger.”

The value of hydrastis in the treatment of the diseases and conditions mentioned is problematical at best, and the small amount present in Hydras is wholly useless. As for the other constituents, cramp bark (Viburnum opulus), helonias (false unicorn—Chamælirium luteumorHelonias dioica) and scutellaria(skullcap—Scutellaria lateriflora) are drugs which are practically ignored by most writers on materia medica and therapeutics.99Dogwood (Cornus florida) is a mildly astringent aromatic bitter for the use of which there is no scientific evidence.100

To sum up: Of the five ingredients of Hydras (aside from alcohol and aromatics), one (hydrastis), which apparently gives the preparation its name, is present in unimportant amounts; three (cramp bark, helonias and scutellaria) are therapeutically unimportant; the fifth (dogwood) has never been shown to have any specific action on the uterus. The potent constituent, therefore, appears to be the alcohol.

But, even if every one of the several drugs said to be contained in Hydras were possessed of distinct therapeutic properties, and if each were present in known and therapeutically active amounts, still the combination in fixed proportion would be irrational. No one could foresee the joint effect of the five drugs in the several conditions for which the mixture is advertised. Hydras is evidently meant to appeal to the thoughtless and to be used at random; witness the suggestion made in the advertising that

“Owing to its palatability, it is acceptable to patients with impaired digestion, and will serve as a stomachic tonic, promoting appetite and digestion.”

A useless alcoholic nostrum “administered freely” to women and girls is as dangerous as the recommendation for such administration is reprehensible.

This preparation is semisecret. The recommendations for its use in specified diseases which appear on the label and in the advertising accompanying the bottle are sure to lead to its ill-advised use by the public. The claims made for its curative properties are exaggerated and unwarranted. The name, in view of the small content of hydrastis, is misleading. Finally, the combination of five drugs, even if individually they were of therapeutic value, is irrational. Hydras, consequently, is inadmissible to New and Nonofficial Remedies for conflict with Rules 1, 4, 6, 8 and 10, and publication of this report is authorized.

[Editorial Comment.—Products like “Hydras” are the bane of scientific medicine. The physician who prescribes them could with just as much reason prescribe any of the various alcoholic “patent medicines” of the “women’s tonic” type. In fact, his patients would be running less risk of contracting the alcohol habit if he prescribed the “patent medicines,” as these nostrums usually have less alcohol than is contained in their “ethical” prototypes—and alcohol is the only really important drug in practically all of them. Whatever one may think of reputable pharmaceutical houses who put out products of the “Hydras” type, the fault really lies with the profession which tolerates such therapeutic monstrosities.]—(From The Journal A. M. A., Oct. 7, 1916.)

“Bromin-Iodin Compound,” according to the Bromin-Iodin Chemical Company, San Diego, Calif., has the following “formula”:

IodinGr.1BrominGr.1⁄4PhosphorusGr.1⁄⁠100ThymolGr.2⁄3MentholGr.2⁄3Sterilized OilGr.1

Iodin

Bromin

Phosphorus

Thymol

Menthol

Sterilized Oil

The only statement regarding its method of preparation is the line “Solution in Cod Liver Oil, Norwegian.” According to the promoters, “Bromin-Iodin” is:

“A Powerful Anti-Tubercular Agent for Hypodermic Use in Pulmonary and Laryngeal Tuberculosis. Useful in other forms of Tubercular Diseases, and in Non-Tubercular Pulmonary Diseases of a Sub-Acute or Chronic Nature.”

The “formula,” in the form in which the manufacturers publish it, is either impossible or meaningless, according to the interpretation that may be given. It is impossible if it is intended to indicate the actual composition of the product because that would mean that the oil is alleged to contain free or uncombined iodin, bromin and phosphorus. Both on theoretical grounds and also in the light of the findings of the Chemical Laboratory of the American Medical Association, it is not possible that all these constituents can be present in the free state. The formula is meaningless if it is intended to convey the idea, merely, that iodin, bromin, phosphorus, thymol, menthol and sterilized oil are combined to form “Bromin-Iodin.” In the absence of any details of the method of manufacture, it is futile to attempt to pass judgment on the actual composition of the preparation.

The use of an almost identical product (said, however, to contain only1⁄2grain iodin to each fluidram) was described in 1908 by Dr. Ingraham of Binghamton, N. Y., in “Five Years Successful Experience with a Special Mode of Treating Pulmonary Tuberculosis.” In 1910The Journal99characterized the preparation as “one of the innumerable ‘treatments’ for pulmonary tuberculosis that have arisen, had their day and, more or less gracefully, retired.” If the preparation had value for the purpose for which it is recommended, its use during these twelve years should have secured its general recognition. There is no satisfactory evidence of its therapeutic efficacy. The Council refused recognition to Bromin-Iodin Comp. and, after submitting this report to the Bromin-Iodin Chemical Company, authorized its publication.—(From The Journal A. M. A., Dec. 23, 1916.)

Ammonium hypophosphite was admitted to New and Nonofficial Remedies in 1908 as a preliminary step in the consideration of a preparation containing it—“Gardner’s Syrup of Ammonium Hypophosphite”—because the Council standardizes unofficial products before considering preparations or mixtures of these.

The therapeutic use of hypophosphites being irrational (see, “The Hypophosphite Fallacy,” Report of the Council on Pharmacy and Chemistry,The Journal, Sept. 2, 1916, p. 760), the salt, ammonium hypophosphite, deserves continued recognition only on condition that this salt of ammonium is superior to other salts from which may be obtained the effect of the ammonium radical. It has been claimed that ammonium hypophosphite has a less objectionable taste than other ammonium salts used for similar purposes. This claim would merit serious consideration if in addition to being less objectionable to the taste, the effects of ammonium hypophosphite were equal to or more desirable than the official ammonium salts. There is no evidence that this condition is met by the hypophosphite salt.

Ammonium hypophosphite has long been known, yet it is not official in the Austrian, Belgian, British, French, German, Hungarian, Italian, Swedish, Swiss or United States Pharmacopeias. Neither is it mentioned in the leading textbooks on materia medica, pharmacology or therapeutics. In short it appears to be an instance of an obscure and superfluous salt selected for proprietary exploitation.

Since the continued recognition of ammonium hypophosphite would tend to perpetuate the hypophosphite fallacy, and because there is no evidence supporting its advantage as a means of securing the effect of ammonium salts the Council directed its omission from New and Nonofficial Remedies.—(From Reports of Council on Pharmacy and Chemistry, 1916, p. 51.)

The following advertisement appeared in theNew Idea(September, 1916), a house organ of Frederick Stearns & Co., the proprietors of Alphozone:

In the light of our present knowledge the claim that Alphozone is a preventive of infantile paralysis is without warrant and the advice that the public depend on it for this purpose is reprehensible and dangerous. Therefore, the Council directed that Alphozone be omitted from New and Nonofficial Remedies.—(From Reports of Council on Pharmacy and Chemistry, 1916, p. 50.)

Calcium glycerophosphate and sodium glycerophosphate were accepted for New and Nonofficial Remedies chiefly in order that these products might bestandardized. These mixtures now being defined in the new edition of the U. S. Pharmacopeia, this reason for including them in N. N. R. no longer exists. The report of Marshall (The Journal, Feb. 13, 1915, p. 573) which has the endorsement of the Council (The Journal, Sept. 30, 1916, p. 1033) shows that organic phosphorus compounds are split up into inorganic phosphates before absorption, that the animal organism can synthesize its complex organic phosphorus constituents from inorganic phosphates and consequently that the glycerophosphates, so far as their phosphorus value is concerned, are not superior to other phosphates. In fact, sodium and phosphate are more effectively administered as neutral or acid phosphate. It is evident that sodium glycerophosphate is a superfluous pharmaceutical preparation, particularly when the difficulty of obtaining a pure product and its high price is considered. So far as its calcium value is concerned, calcium glycerophosphate has no advantages over such calcium salts as the carbonate, phosphate, lactate, or chlorid. In view of the foregoing, the Council directed that sodium glycerophosphate and calcium glycerophosphate be omitted from New and Nonofficial Remedies.—(From Reports of Council on Pharmacy and Chemistry, 1916, p. 52.)

In recognition of the considerable revision of the therapeutic claims made by the manufacturer, Gardner’s Syrup of Ammonium Hypophosphite was retained in New and Nonofficial Remedies, 1916, and the proprietor advised of this provisional retention.

In the most recent advertising for this ammonium hypophosphite syrup the claim is made:

“Besides being an active expectorant Syrup of Ammonium Hypophosphite (Gardner) is useful as an alterative and resolvent and by virtue of its phosphorus element, which is in the form of a hypophosphite, PH2O2, has a tonic value.”

As detailed in the report of the Council “The Hypophosphite Fallacy” (The Journal, A. M. A., Sept. 2, 1916, p. 760) careful studies show that the hypophosphites are devoid of the “alterative” and “tonic” actions claimed by the manufacturer of Gardner’s Syrup of Ammonium Hypophosphite. Accordingly the Council voted to omit Gardner’s Syrup of Ammonium Hypophosphite from New and Nonofficial Remedies and authorized publication of this report.—(From Reports of Council on Pharmacy and Chemistry, 1916, p. 55.)

For over two years the Council has had under consideration certain products offered for the use of diabetics by the Kellogg Food Company of Battle Creek, Mich. These are:

Pure Gluten Biscuit.Pure Gluten Meal.40 per cent. Gluten Biscuit.40 per cent. Gluten Flour.40 per cent. Gluten Meal.20 per cent. Gluten Meal.

The Council found these products ineligible for New and Nonofficial Remedies because the statements of composition (particularly of starch content) were insufficient and because the exploitation of the products to the laity was objectionable. June 21, 1915, the company promised to place a statement of the starch content on the package of each gluten product, to place on the gluten flour sacks a caution that diabetics use the flour only on the advice of their physicians, and to revise its advertising in accordance with the suggestions of the Council. Nothing further having been heard from the company, in April, 1916, specimens of the product were obtained, through a layman, direct from the Kellogg Food Company. These specimens, together with the advertising matter received at the same time, and also a letter of advice from the company to another layman, were sent to the Council’s referee, whose report follows. As will be seen, the referee finds that the amounts of carbohydrates contained in Pure Gluten Flour, 40 per cent. Gluten Flour and Pure Gluten Meal are greater than the amounts claimed in the company’s published analyses; that in the two first mentioned the amounts of protein are less than the amounts claimed; that exaggerated claims are made on all the labels and in the advertising literature, and that the company prescribes directly to the patient.

The following report was sent to the Kellogg Food Company for consideration. In reply the firm stated that a revision of its advertising was under consideration but would make no statement as to how soon this revision would be carried into effect. As the consideration had already consumed two years, the Council decided to give the profession the facts and authorized publication of the report. At the same time the Kellogg Food Company was advised that its products would be considered further whenever any submitted evidence warranted this.

W. A. Puckner, Secretary.

I submit herewith my report on certain foods offered by the Kellogg Food Company for the use of diabetics. I shall discuss these products from the standpoint of the claims made on the label, from the standpoint of the company toward nonmedical treatment as revealed in a letter to a layman, and lastly, on the basis of the claims made for the foods in the company’s literature.

PURE GLUTEN BISCUIT

RefereeCompanyWater8.305–10Ash2.041–2Protein (N × 5.7)73.8775–80Fiber0.122.4–3Carbohydrates14.840–5Fat0.810.25–0.70Starch4.020–5

Water

Ash

Protein (N × 5.7)

Fiber

Carbohydrates

Fat

Starch

The sample analyzed does not contain the amount of protein claimed for it. It also contains more starch than one might suspect from the company’s analysis. A more conservative claim would be “starch less than 5 per cent.” The company makes the error of using the terms “starch” and “carbohydrates” as synonymous. If the maximum figures of the company’s analysis are used, the carbohydrates would amount to 5 per cent., whereas I find 14.84 per cent. The claim on the label “Guaranteed to contain less than 5 per cent. of carbohydrates” is incorrect. The next claim, “Each ounce of this gluten contains 23 grams of protein and represents 95 calories” is approximately correct, as my analysis shows 20.9 grams of protein and 103 calories.

The following remarks under “Vegetable Proteins” are in my judgment exaggerated:

“Leading authorities are now agreed that meat, fish, eggs and other animal proteins are greatly inferior to vegetable proteins in diabetes, often increasing the sugar output and the dangerous acidosis which leads to diabetic coma.... After many years of experimentation, we have succeeded in perfecting a process whereby the carbohydrates are excluded.”

In this connection, von Noorden, whom the company constantly quotes, says:

“In the slighter forms (of diabetes), the influence of meat albumins is not great and it is difficult to demonstrate the reaction of the patient to different forms of albumin. It may be necessary to add more albumin than the patient can actually take before glycosuria indication is reacted.... Once a medium amount of albumin is exceeded, say 70 to 80 grams, the glycosuria increases, no matter what the type of albumin is.”

My analysis also shows that the carbohydrates are not excluded from this food as claimed above.

40 PER CENT. GLUTEN BISCUIT

RefereeWater8.50Ash1.48Protein (N × 5.7)41.15Fiber0.08Carbohydrates47.81Fat0.98Starch36.98

Water

Ash

Protein (N × 5.7)

Fiber

Carbohydrates

Fat

Starch

No analysis is supplied by the company, but this may be called properly a “40 per cent. Gluten Biscuit.” The company claims, however, that this is “Best for Diabetics,” which is not true.

Here, as in the case of “40 per cent. Gluten Flour,” the company’s label attributes to “Dr. Wm. Osler in ‘Practice of Medicine,’ ” the following quotation: “Of Gluten Foods, many are very unpalatable, others are frauds. A Good Gluten Flour is made by the Battle Creek Sanatarium Co., Mich.” I have no way of knowing to which gluten flour of the company Dr. Osler had reference. The “Pure Gluten Meal” might be called properly a “good gluten flour,” but this “40 per cent. Gluten Flour” is no better, and no worse, than the average gluten flour on the market. The quotation from Osler gives an entirely false impression.

40 PER CENT. GLUTEN FLOUR

RefereeCompanyWater8.625–10Ash0.890.5–1Protein (N × 5.7)33.6340–45Fiber0.081–3Carbohydrates55.3540–45Fat1.430.2–0.5Starch48.04...

Water

Ash

Protein (N × 5.7)

Fiber

Carbohydrates

Fat

Starch

My analysis shows 6.37 per cent. less protein than the company’s minimum, and 10.35 more carbohydrates than their maximum. In past years I have found the protein in this brand to range from 35.0 to 42.9 per cent. (using the factor 5.7). It is true that the manufacturer does not state what protein factor is used in his reported analysis, but as in four other brands 5.7 is used, it is fair to assume that the same factor applies to this as well. At least such should be the case, as otherwise the manufacturer’s analyses would be meaningless. Even using the factor 6.25 this later sample contains only 36.88 per cent. of protein.

The following statement, in my judgment, as applied to a food containing over 48 per cent. of starch, does not hold water: “This food is of specialservice in cases of Glycosuria and in the milder forms of Diabetes.” With this brand as with “40 per cent. Gluten Biscuit” the manufacturer again uses the misleading quotation from Osler.

40 PER CENT. GLUTEN MEAL

RefereeCompanyWater7.305–10Ash1.361–2Protein (N × 5.7)41.5540–45Fiber0.101–2Carbohydrates48.5840–45Fat1.110.2–0.5Starch36.5940–45

Water

Ash

Protein (N × 5.7)

Fiber

Carbohydrates

Fat

Starch

The claimed analysis is justified by my findings. I must take exception, however, to the following statement: “Prepared with great care from a good grade of Spring Wheat, by our special process, which preserves the natural food properties of the product.” The company evidently tries to carry water on both shoulders, on the one hand claiming a reduction in the starch content, while on the other claiming the preservation of all “the natural food properties.”

20 PER CENT. GLUTEN MEAL

RefereeCompanyWater7.655–10Ash1.221–2Protein (N × 5.7)24.6820–30Fiber0.121–2Carbohydrates65.4165–70Fat0.921–2Starch51.2465–70

Water

Ash

Protein (N × 5.7)

Fiber

Carbohydrates

Fat

Starch

The company’s analysis is confirmed. As the company claims directly that this is “Not A Diabetic Food,” any criticism of its use for that purpose is disarmed. However, again exception must be taken to the statement that “the natural food properties of the product” are preserved.

PURE GLUTEN MEAL

RefereeCompanyWater4.605–10Ash0.961–2Protein (N × 5.7)76.7875–80Fiber0.081–3Carbohydrates16.770–5Fat0.810.25–0.70Starch6.770–5

Water

Ash

Protein (N × 5.7)

Fiber

Carbohydrates

Fat

Starch

The minimum claim as to protein is justified. Again the company confuses carbohydrates and starch, and the food instead of containing from 0 to 5 per cent. of “carbohydrates (starch)” actually contains 16.77 per cent. of carbohydrates, of which 6.77 per cent. is starch. Once more the statement that “the natural food properties” are preserved is untrue as applied to a wheat product deprived of most of its starch.

In justice to the company, it should be noted that on the labels of “Pure Gluten Biscuit” and “Pure Gluten Meal” appears the warning: “Every person suffering from diabetes should be under the care of an experienced physician,” and on the label of “40 per cent. Gluten Meal,” “Persons suffering from diabetes should use this food only on the advice of a physician.” On the other hand, the suggestion on the label of “Pure Gluten Meal,” “Write for a copy of Diabetic Foods and How to Use Them” is a more or less direct invitation to self-treatment. Moreover, a letter dated May 9, 1916, apparently dictated for the Kellogg Food Company by one Ruth French, in reply to an inquiry from a layman, gives direct advice with no reference whatever to a physician.

In addition to this inconsistent attitude the letter makes certain clear misstatements, as follows:

“40 per cent. Gluten Flour actually contains 40 per cent. of pure Gluten, making it a perfectly safe article of diet in all but the gravest cases of diabetes. From our Gluten Flour excellent bread, gems and puffs are made that perfectly satisfy the craving for bread with no harmful results.” This flour contains 33.63 per cent. of gluten, not 40 per cent.; it is not “a perfectly safe article of diet in all but the gravest cases of diabetes,” for if one reads the literature correctly, starch restriction is more necessary in mild than in severe cases of diabetes. Furthermore, the bread, gems and puffs made from such a flour do not “satisfy the craving for bread with no harmful results.”

In the next paragraph of the letter, undue emphasis is laid on the “objectionable properties” of flesh foods, a statement only in accord with the tenets of extreme vegetarians. I also doubt very much whether the statement is true that “under a diet of our diabetic foods the thirst to which diabetics are so often subject is usually very much relieved.”

In the next paragraph the assertion is made that “The diet indicated... is in keeping with the ideas of the highest medical authorities.... Meat is entirely excluded from the dietary.” My reading of the literature does not show that the leading authorities take any such position. Later on reference is made to von Noorden’s claim as to the superiority of vegetable over animal proteins, which I have already discussed under “Pure Gluten Biscuit.” (Certain detached sentences of von Noorden might justify such a statement, but a reading of all he says on the subject leads to a very different conclusion.)

The whole booklet is written from the standpoint of an extreme vegetarian, and therefore is often misleading in its conclusions.

Page 5. “The researches of Ogata and others have shown that cane sugar is a less wholesome food than the natural sugars found in fruits and produced in the body by the digestion of starch, that is, fruit sugars and malt sugars.” In opposition to this I quote from von Noorden, their own authority, “Die Zuckerkrankheit und ihre Behandlung,” Berlin, 1910, page 270:

“That levulose, milk sugar and inulin are more useful than the other carbohydrates is a common opinion, but the importance of their use in practice does not correspond with the theory. In light cases the form of carbohydrates makes little difference; in severe cases the advantage from using levulose, milk sugar, etc., is only slightly greater than from using bread and flour.... Only in certain cases does it appear to me that the special form of carbohydrates possesses any particular significance.”

On page 92 of the same work von Noorden tells us that of the carbohydrates dextrose is the worst, with maltose almost as bad (in spite of the fact that Kellogg exploits his “Meltose,” the “new carbohydrate,” as of special value for diabetics). He also says that levulose increases glycosuria only about half as much as dextrose, when used occasionally, but with long use it is as bad as dextrose and starch.

Page 5. The company refers to sugar as “possibly also causing diabetes.” Sugar or any other carbohydrate may under diabetic conditions cause an increase of glucose in the urine, but I do not believe that any food or any diet can cause diabetes.

Page 7. “That the large use of meat and eggs is not only detrimental but positively dangerous in many cases of diabetes is now a well known and recognized fact.” The dietaries of well known authorities on diabetes are not in harmony with this statement.

Page 13. “It has been discovered that the complete suppression of carbohydrates from the dietary is not only unnecessary but is highly detrimental and even dangerous.” “The complete suppression of carbohydrates from the dietary” is the only means the physician has to determine the diabetic’s carbohydrate tolerance. If carbohydrate-poor foods are so “highly detrimental and even dangerous,” why does the company exploit foods like “Pure Gluten Flour” and “Pure Gluten Biscuit,” whose chief claim to excellence is their comparative freedom from carbohydrates?

Page 17. “Cream is an emulsion, and, with the exception of egg yolk, is the only form in which animal fat is found in an emulsified state.” Milk, Nature’s most wonderful emulsion, is apparently overlooked.

Page 19. “... these foods... will be found of great value... especially as substitutes for the breads and meats which are the most objectionable features of the ordinary diet, and which should, as far as possible, be interdicted in this class of cases.” This is simply special pleading for the Kellogg vegetarian diet.

Page 19. “Our glutens... are all thoroughly standardized, so that in their use the physician and the patient know just the amount of starch eaten.” This standardization is largely mythical. For instance, “Pure Gluten Biscuit” claims 0 to 5 per cent. “carbohydrates (starch),” whereas I find 14.84 per cent. carbohydrates with 4.02 per cent. starch. “40 per cent. Gluten Flour” claims 40 per cent. gluten and 40 to 45 per cent. carbohydrates, whereas I find 33.63 and 55.35 per cent., respectively. “Pure Gluten Meal” claims 0 to 5 per cent. “carbohydrates (starch)” whereas I find 16.77 per cent. carbohydrates and 6.77 per cent. starch. I have a record of six analyses each of “40 per cent. Gluten Flour” and “40 per cent. Gluten Biscuit,” which show the hollowness of this claim of “standardization.” The flour showed 33.6, 35.0, 42.9, 36.8, 35.6, and 40.9 per cent. of protein, with from 40.8 to 55.4 per cent. of carbohydrates; the biscuits 32.7, 33.2, 39.5, 43.3, 33.9, and 41.2 per cent. of protein, with from 41.1 to 54.0 per cent. of carbohydrates. In fact, my experience shows that the Kellogg products are more poorly “standardized” than most of the diabetic foods on the market.

Page 20. “May be made to carry a large amount of fat in the form of butter, a most desirable thing in the treatment of diabetes,” while on page 16 the company claims that in an experiment of Minkowski on a dog, butter “passed through the body without change, none being absorbed”; these are certainly contradictory statements. The explanation is that on the one page the company is exploiting its biscuits, and on the other its nut preparations.

Page 20. Again the incorrect claim is made for “40 per cent. Gluten Flour” that “we believe this to be the only standardized gluten flour made.”

Page 21. The claim is made that flesh foods are “objectionable on account of the large amounts of ptomains and toxins which they contain.” I was not aware that fresh meats contained any ptomains whatever. On the same page the claim is again made that by the use of the Kellogg nut foods “diabetics lose their thirst,” a claim which I think is more than doubtful.

Page 22. “Nuts are a whole food, containing all the elements required for the perfect nutrition of the body.” A marked characteristic of nuts is that they are not “a whole food,” as with the exception of a few varieties, such as the chestnut, they are extremely poor in carbohydrates, which fact gives them their value in the diabetic diet.

Page 23. “With the exception of the potato, the beet and the carrot, vegetables contain little sugar or starch.” Corn, beans and peas are all vegetables which are relatively high in carbohydrates, and for this reason are specifically excluded from the diabetic’s dietary.

From the foregoing considerations I would recommend that the company’s analyses of “40 per cent. Gluten Biscuit,” “40 per cent. Gluten Meal,” and “20 per cent. Gluten Meal” be accepted as correct. Before the Council can accept any of these products, the following steps should be taken:

The company on all its labels should correct the impression that “carbohydrates” and “starch” are synonymous terms.

The labels of all the preparations examined should be changed in accordance with the criticisms given above.

In all cases in which analytic data are given, it would be preferable to state only the minimum of protein and the maximum of carbohydrates.

The booklet, “Practical Suggestions About Diet in Diabetes,” should be radically changed along the lines noted above.—(From Reports of Council on Pharmacy and Chemistry, 1916, p. 56.)

Iodo-Mangan, made by the Chemische Fabrik Helfenberg A. G., near Dresden, Germany, and sold in the United States by the Reinschild Chemical Company, New York, is a solution said to contain iron, manganese and iodin in combination with peptone. It is claimed to be a reconstructive tonic and blood-making adjuvant, with favorable action in affections of the glandular system. It was admitted to New and Nonofficial Remedies in 1907, before the Council had adopted the present Rule 10, which provides that no article shall be admitted to New and Nonofficial Remedies which, because of its unscientific composition, is useless or inimical to the best interests of the public or of the medical profession. In 1911 the Council considered the question whether or not this product was still eligible and decided in the end to retain it as probably having some merit. To determine if Iodo-Mangan was eligible for New and Nonofficial Remedies, 1917, the Reinschild Chemical Company was requested to send in the current advertising matter. As this advertising was not sent in and as apparently the product was not marketed at the present time, the Council on Pharmacy and Chemistry voted to omit Iodo-Mangan from New and Nonofficial Remedies. At the same time the Reinschild Chemical Company was informed that the preparation might be submitted for reconsideration at any time.—(From Reports of Council on Pharmacy and Chemistry, 1916, p. 64.)

As now marketed, Liquid Albolene (McKesson and Robbins, New York), is claimed to be made only from genuine Russian oil and hence to possess distinct advantages over

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