A PATENT MEDICINE.

Ashburton Guardian, Volume XXXV, Issue 9153, 29 May 1915, Page 5

A PATENT MEDICINE.

ALLEGED CURE-ALL.

SELLERS PROSECUTED FOR MISDESCIUPTION.

(Per Press Association— Copyright)

(Received May 29, 9.20 a.m.)

SYDNEY, May 29

The Crown, under tbe^ Pure Food Act, proceeded against Elliott Bros., on the ground of alleged misdescription of a patent medicine known as vitadatio. The Crown Prosecutor relied on the statement printed in a pamphlet sold with the medicine stating that it cured Bright's disease, hydatids, stricture, cancer, consumption, and ringworm.

Amongst the expert, evidence was the analysis of Dr. Cooksey, which showed that vitadatio contained. 2.5 per cent, proof spirit,,also salicylic acid, tannin, gentian, sareaparilla and senna (or rhubarb). Dr. Palmer, principal Government medical ofliomy declared that according to ihis analysis vitadatio would not cure Bright's disease, hydatids, cancer or consumption, and lie made a statement that; with the exception of quinine and mercury, no drug,cured anybody. , ;

Other doctor:? supported Dr. Palmer regarding the diseases mentioned.

For the defpnee, evidence was given in support of cures.. Sydney Arthur Palmer, proprietor of vitadatio, gave evidence that he was ill for 14 years in New Zealand, being treated for dyspepsia, liver, Bright's disease, and pleurisy.-/-Subsequently, an operation at^jnyercargill showed he was foil of l^atid tumor;;, and a doctor told him ll^te. the '.only medicines which would $jPr would also kill him. He tried vtt-adatio, arid was cured. He denied that vitadatio contained rhubarb, senna, sarsaparillii. or gentian. Each bottle of median' cost him !«, of which price th?. bot-H<> i-pprescnted 2d. niaterial 3d, and laVwr'7d. Ho declined to. give the nani*^ of certain herbs vrhtftb he said cost hhn P. 90,000 to get from Welber, tb.9 o^'tinal proprietor, but at the Marr'strafo's request ho wrote the names.

The Mo.cip+rate found apamst defendants, vrhn wptq merely wholnsnle buyers of vitndf +in. and ordorrd thorn to pay a fiir? of £10 atid costs.