The chronicle=news., 1914-07-24

tient is told that he can eat all he
wants and as often rs he wishes,
which is strong inducement to
most most stout people.
These preparations usually con-
tain thyroids and laxative. The
thyrcids may prove very hurtful un-
less given under the advice OF ply
sician personally familiar with the
subjects physical condition. The
department has on record an in
stance where death has followed
ovcrdosos of preparations containing
thyroids. Other preparations con-
,tain poke root tphytolacca), a poi
sonous drug, and others. analysis
shows, contain nothing that could
possibly have the slightest effect in
reducing flesh.
The promoters OF one preparation
assert that it secures most -mery
ous results by process of eIimina-
tion OF foods without digestion.
These people guarantee the reduction
OF pound day A preparation of
this character. If 1t did what It's
makers claim Tor 1t. would prChah!y
eliminate any need OF digestion in
the future. Another product. exam
ination shows, consists principally
OF ordinary soap. The idea Is to
apply this locally with friction ana
thus remove the fat wherever It may
be in excess. A still more clever
scheme provides chemicals to be add
I'd to the water in which the patlcnf
is to batha These chemicals are OF
such n nature that they torn sort
OF curd in the water after the pa
tient has bathed. This curd, the ad-
vertisement states, is fat and surplus
tissue removed from the body. O:her
schemes supply a tablet at "a cents
u dozen for which n claim is ElaGe
that 1t Will reduce fat at the rate OF
Il pound n day.
No other class of preparations ca
plotted to humbug the people mas
wider sale. and in nearly every In
stance they arc absolutely worthiess
In many cases where patients seem
to lose weight this result is attribut-
ed to the hot baths and the diet ana
exercises recommended as an accom-
paniment in taking the medicine.
The only ways tnat the depart
mcnt's specialists know of safely re-
ducing flesh are Iigii dieting ahc
strenuous exercise. and those to be
effective must he continued over a
long period OF time. The fat reduc-
Ing patient must eliminate from MS
diet fats, starchy loods and sugar
In many cases 1t Is not wise because
OF other pr ysical conditions for tat
people to attempt any RAPID reduc-
tion in weight. As q general rule
diet and exercise are best directed
by n skilled physician. L"ss oi flesh
is by no means blessing If accom-
uapied by loss OF health. energy or
strength.
1t Is practically Impossible to pre-
vent the sale OF these preparations
In interstate commerce under the
food and drugs act for the reason
that the claims upon the packages
are purpos.Iy so guarded as to e'ade
action. AS rule the claims. guar
antces, etc. appear In ADVERTISE
ments, circular letters. ETC., ana
these the makers are very careful to
keep separate from the package.
The postoffice department. how
ever, has been Instrumental In 81
Iencing some OF these promoters ny
issuing fraud orders against them
ana denying them the use OF the
mails. The department of aSricul-
ture can only warn the people to Dc-
ware of all such preparations con-
tanning such claims for in the knowl-
edge OF al: drug specialists at the
present time there Is no preparn-
tion that can be depended upon 10
reduce flesh in any marked deerNe
without doing injuries