The state herald., 1907-08-23
ARE PHYSICIANS PRESCRIPTIONS
NosTRUMS?


men are. to discriminate intelligently
between physicians prescriptions, pro-
prietary medicines and nostrums, 1t
may seem little short of crime to
hint even that physicians prescrip.
tions are in any manner related to
nostrums; nevertheless, an impartial
examination of all the facts in the
case leads irresistibly to the conclu-
sion that every medicinal preparation
compounded and dispensed by physi-
clan is, in the strict sense of the word,
a nostrum, and that the average,
ready-prepared proprietary remedy is
superior to the average specially.pre-
pared physicians prescription.
What is nostrum? According to
the Standard Dictionary nostrum is
"a medicine the composition of which
is kept secret" Now. when n physi-
clan compounds and dispenses with
his own hands n remedy for the treat
ment of a disease-and 1t is authorita-
lively stated that probably 60 per
cent. of all physicians prescriptions
In this country are SO dispensed-the
names and quantities of the ingre-
dents which constitute the remedy
are not made known to the patient.
Hence, since its composition is kept
secret by the physician, the remedy or
prescription is unquestionably. in the
true meaning of the word. a Simon
pure nostrum. Furthermore, the pre-
scription compounded by the average
physician is more than likely TO be n
perfect jumble-replete with thera-
peutic. physiologic and chemical in.
compatibilities and bearing all the ear
marks of pharmaceutical incompe-
tency; for 1t is now generally admitted
that unless physician has made n
special study of pharmacy and passed
some time in drug store for the pur-
pose of gaining a practical knowledge
he is not fitted to compound remedies
for his patients. Moreover, n physi-
clan who compounds his own prescrip-
tons not only deprives the pharmacist
OF his just emoluments, but he endan-
gers the lives Of patients; for 1t is
only by the detection and elimination
OF errors In prescriptions by clever.
competent prescriptionists that the
safety of the public can be effectually
shielded from the criminal blunders
OF ignorant physicians.
Nor can 1t be said that the average
physician is any more competent TO
formulate n prescription than he is to
compound H. When memorized or di.
rectly copied from book of "favorite
prescriptions by famous physicians"
or from some textbook or medical
Journal. the prescription may be all
that IT should be. 1t is only when the
physician is required to originate
formula on the spur of the moment
that his incompetency is distinctly evi.
dent. Seemingly, however. the physi.
clans of the United States are little
worse than the average British physi.
clan: for we find DR.. James Burnett,
lecturer on Practical Materia Medica
and Pharmacy. Edinburgh. lamenting
in the Medical Magazine the passing
OF the prescription and bemoaning the
fact that seldom does he find final
man" able to devise a prescription
even In good contracted Latin"
And what. II may be asked, is the
status of the written prescription-th
prescription that is compounded and
dispensed by the Pharmacists II.
too. a nostrum? II may be contended
that the patient, with the written
formula In his possession. may learn
the character OF the remedy pre-.
scribed. So. possibly. he might II he
understood Latin and were n physician
or pharmacist, but as he usually pos.
sesses no professional training and
cannot read Latin. the prescription is
practically dead secret to him.
furthermore. the average prescription
Is so badly written and SO greatly
abbreviated that even the pharmacist.
skilled as he usually ls In deciphcring
medical hieroglyphs. is constantly
obliged TO interview prescribers TO
Ind out what actually has been pre-.
scriboi. II may also be contendcd.
that innsmuch as the formula ls known
10 both physician and pharmacist the
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crct. But with equal truth II might bo
contended that the formula OF any 40.
called nostrum is not n secret since Il
"a known TO both proprietor and manu-
faeturor; for Il must not be forgotten
that. according 10 reliable authority,
95 per cent. OF the proprlctors of 10
called patent medicines prepared In
this country have their remedies made
for them by large. reputable manufac'
turing pharmacists. But even should
n patient be able to recognize tho
names OF the ingredients mentioned In
formula he would only know half
the story II IL seldom. for instance,
that alcohol II specifically mentioned
In n prescription. for II Is usually
masked In the form OF tincturca aud
nuld extracts. as arc II great many
other substances. II IN evident. there
fore. that tho ordinary formulated pre-
soription Is. 90 the average patient. IT.
A.. 40