I28     Advances  in  Materia  Medico,  and  Pharmacy.     (  Am;T-Tou5-  Pharm- 
1   u  -  March,  1917 
interest  on  the  part  of  doctors  in  learning  how  to  avoid  writing  for 
irrational  combinations  of  drugs  : 
"  Glycerophosphate  Comp.  Ampuls,  I  Cc,  Squibb  "  are  claimed 
to  contain,  in  each,  sodium  glycerophosphate  o.i  Gm.,  strychnine 
cacodylate  0.0005  Gm.,  and  iron  cacodylate  0.01  Gm.  The  Council 
refused  recognition  to  "  Glycerophosphate  Comp.  Ampuls,  1  Cc, 
Squibb  "  because  the  name  did  not  indicate  the  potent  ingredients 
and  because  the  administration  of  a  mixture  of  sodium  glycerophos- 
phate, strychnine  cacodylate  and  iron  cacodylate  is  irrational. 
The  preceding  statement  was  submitted  to  E.  R.  Squibb  and 
Sons  for  consideration.    The  firm  replied : 
"...  we  wish  to  explain  that  there  has  been  a  small  demand 
for  this  product,  no  doubt  created  by  other  manufacturers.  We 
have  filled  hitherto  this  demand  as  far  as  it  came  to  us,  using  the 
formula  regularly  supplied  for  years  by  other  firms. 
"  The  name  Glycerophosphate  Comp.  to  cover  a  product  contain- 
ing sodium  glycerophosphate,  strychnine  cacodylate  and  iron  cacody- 
late, seemed  to  us  the  best  that  could  be  devised,  under  the  circum- 
stances. It  is  absolutely  impossible  to  mention  all  the  ingredients 
in  the  name,  as  it  would  give  an  unwieldy  title.  In  passing,  we 
might  mention  that  the  U.  S.  P.  and  X.  F.  cover  also  by  the  word 
'  Compound  '  the  potent  ingredients  in  many  titles. 
"  However,  the  finding  of  the  Council,  that  the  formula  here  in 
question  is  irrational,  must  determine  our  action,  and  we  have,  in 
consequence,  decided  to  eliminate  Glycerophosphate  Comp.  Ampuls 
from  our  list,  dropping  the  article  altogether." 
This  cooperation  in  the  work  of  the  Council  on  Pharmacy  and 
Chemistry  is  gratifying.  In  passing  the  Council  notes  that  the  fore- 
going criticism  of  many  Pharmacopoeial  and  National  Formulary 
titles  is  justified.  Many  Pharmacopoeial  preparations  have  names 
which  are  not  only  nondescriptive  but  actually  misleading.  Such 
are  compound  powder  of  glycyrrhiza  and  compound  syrup  of  figs, 
both  of  which  owe  their  activity  to  senna,  and  acid  camphor  mixture 
and  compound  mixture  of  glycyrrhiza,  which  are  essentially  opium 
preparations.  If  any  of  these  preparations  possess  therapeutic  value 
their  names  should  be  descriptive,  as  otherwise  they  violate  a  funda- 
mental principle  in  the  nomenclature  of  medicinal  substances,  a  prin- 
ciple for  which  the  Council  has  contended  and  which  is  supported 
by  both  the  medical  and  pharmaceutical  professions  as  well  as  by 
manufacturers."    (Jour.  A.  M.  A.,  Feb.  3,  1917.) 
