PROBLEM 183 215 



Observations. — Note the fumes. Place a match or bit 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- 

 iUd. 



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

 anilid in a substance? 



2. Why would samples of medicines containing acetanilid be 

 distributed free ? 



3. Why are such medicines unsafe to use? 



Problem 183 : What are the harinful materials formed in 

 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 their 

 efficacy 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 newspapers in your 

 city carry advertisements of any of the above medicines? Do 

 these papers bear a good reputation? 



Conclusion. — 1. Why would working girls be Hkely 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 effect upon any one who took such drugs 

 frequently ? 



' The Great American Fraud, by S. H. Adams, reprinted by the American Medi- 

 cal Association, has been the basis from which were made Problems 181, 182, and 

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

 Remedies, The Specialist Humbug, and The Scavengers may be obtained from this 

 source and are recommended if time permits. Work of this sort is certainly practi- 

 cal, interesting, and worth while. 



