A PATENT MEDICINE.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LVII, Issue 302, 31 May 1915, Page 3

A PATENT MEDICINE.

RESULT OF A PROSECUTION*. Sydney, May 2!). The Ci'own Prosecutor, under the Pure Food Act, proceeded against Elliott Brothers, on the ground of alleged misdescription of the patent medicine known as Vitudatio. The Crown Prosecutor relied on a statement in a printed pamphlet sold with the medicine, stating that it cured Bright's disease, hydatids, stricture, cancer, consumption and ringworm. Amongst the expert evidence, an analysis of (Dr. Cookseye showed that Vitadatio contained 2.5 per cent, of 1 proof spirit, also salicylic, acid, tannin, gentian, sarsaparilla. and senna or rhubarb. Dr. Palmer, principal Government medical ol'icer, declared that, according to this analysis, Vitadatio would not cure Wright's disease, hydatids, cancer or consumption. lie made a statement ' that, with the exception of quinine and mercury, no drug had ever cured, anybody. Other doctors supported Dr. Palmer regarding (he diseases mentioned. For the defence, evidence was given ii! support of cures ill Sydney. Arthur Palmer, proprietor of Vitadatio, gave evidence thai he was ill for fourteen years ill New Zealand. He was treated for dysp"p-ia, l'nev, JirigH's disease and ]de'iri~y. Subsequently au operation in 1 nvorcargill showed that, he was full of hydatids and tumors. A doctor told him that the only medicines which could cure him would also kill him. lie. tried Vitadatio, and was cured. He denied thai Vitadatio contained tannin, rhubarb senna, sarsaparilla or gentian. A bottlf cost him a shilling. The cost of tin bottle was twopence, material threepence, and labor scvenpence. lie de clined to give the names of cctaii herbs, which lie said it had cost bin £20.0110 to get. from Welber. the or: ginal proprietor. The magistrate found a/gainst defend ants, who were morelv wholesale buyer of Vitndntio, and ordered them to pa; a line of £5 and £lO costs.