Quacks, false remedies and the public health / [David Walsh].

  • Walsh, David
Date:
1909
Catalogue details

Licence: Public Domain Mark

Credit: Quacks, false remedies and the public health / [David Walsh]. Source: Wellcome Collection.

    21/68 (page 17)
    statements :—* Blotches, spots, pimples, blackheads, and sores of all kinds can be cured by taking Clarke’s Blood Mixture, the world-famed blood purifier. This famous medicine will also cure all skin and blood diseases, such as eczema, scrofula, scurvy, ulcerated sores, etc.”” So far as the curative effect of iodide of potassium upon skin diseases is concerned, it may be briefly stated that its curative effect on skin maladies is extremely limited, and that the vast majority of affections of that kind are either unaffected by potas- sium iodide or are aggravated and made worse by it. From the appended analysis there is no other ingre- dient in Clarke’s Blood Mixture that could conceivably exercise any therapeutic influence over the skin. Under these circumstances, any justification of the statements above quoted from the advertisement would be diffi- cult, or altogether impossible. Indeed, in cases where the well-known “iodide rash’? follows the use of a remedy shown to contain iodide of potassium, there should be little difficulty in substantiating a claim for damages on the part of the sufferer. The composition of the active ingredients of Clarke’s Blood Mixture is given by Dr. Robert Hutchison approximately as iodide of potassium (about 6 grains to the ounce) (“ Australian Report,” p. 190). The British Medical Association analysis is :— Potassium iodide, 52.5 grains. Spirit of sal volatile, 10 minims. Spirit ot chloroform, 67 minims. Simple syrup,.50 minims. Burnt sugar, q.s. Water to 8 fluid ounces. “The estimated cost of the ingredients is 14d.” (The bottle is sold at 2s. of.) Harvey’s Blood Pills, according to the same authority (p. 45, “Secret Remedies’) are made up approximately as follows :— Quinine sulphate, 17 grains. Potassium iodide, 22 grains. Powdered rhubarb, 16 grains Powdered liquorice, 8 grains. Ext. of sarsaparilla, 12 grains. Ext. of burdock, 12 grains. Ext. of taraxacum, 12 grains. Divided into 36 pills. ; { The reproduction of the accompanying circular states :— “Harveys Blood Pills for Skin Diseases. An Unfailing Remedy for Scurvy Sores! MHarvey’s Blood Pills for Scrofulous Sores. A Certain Remedy for Ulcerated Legs! Harvey’s Blood Pills for Sluggish Liver, The Surest Remedy for Ring-