PROBLEM 183 21.-) 



Observations. — Note the funios. Place a match or })it of wood 

 in the fumes. If the wood is colored red or yellow, then the medi- 

 cine contains the dangerous heart depressant drug called acetan- 

 ilid. 



Conclusion. — 1. How would you know the presence of acet- 

 anilid in a substance? 



2. Why would samples of medicines containing acetanilid l)e 

 distributed free? 



3. Why are such medicines unsafe to use? 



Proble^n 183: Wliat are the harmful materials formed iti 

 catarrh cures and soothing sirups ? 



Materials. — Charts, labels of soothing sirups and catarrh 

 cures. 



Method. — Using the charts made by the American Medical 

 Association,^ 535 N. Dearborn St., Chicago, 111., Farmers' Bulletin 

 393, and the labels of various soothing sirups and catarrh cures, 

 determine which ones contain opium, cocaine, morphine, codine, 

 or other habit-forming drugs. 



NOTE. — Many of the so-called catarrh cures or soothing sirups owe thoir 

 eflBcacy to some of the above-mentioned drugs. The Pure Food and Drug Law 

 requires that the labels of patent medicines tell all the ingredients therein contained. 



Observations. — How^ many of the medicines examined con- 

 tained habit-forming drugs? What kind of newsj)apers in your 

 city carry advertisements of any of the above medicines? Do 

 these papers bear a good reputation? 



Conclusion. — 1. W^hy would working girls be likely to use 

 catarrh cures? 



2. Why do mothers give babies soothing sirup? What might 

 be the effect on the child? 



3. What would be the efTect upon any one who took such drugs 

 frequently ? 



1 The Great American Fraud, by S. H. Adam.'^, reprinted by the.VmericMM .Medi- 

 cal Association, has been the basis from whidi were made Problems 181, 1S2. and 

 183. Other problems of equal value on Preying on the Incurahlr, The Surecure 

 Remedies, The Specialist Humbug, and The Scavengers may \io obtained from tluH 

 source and are reconnnended if time permits. Work of this .sort is certainly pra«-ti- 

 cal, interesting, and worth while, 



