TIGER BONE TINCTURE

Press, Volume C, Issue 29699, 18 December 1961, Page 19

TIGER BONE TINCTURE

Trade Drive By China (N.Z.P.A.-Reuter) OTTAWA. A poor memory can be helped by taking pills made from the antlers of Chinese spotted deer, according to literature sent to Canada in advance of a Communist Chinese trade mission. The literature said the tablets were good for strengthening the heart and brain as well as for "general weakness, bad memory, vague aching in the loins and knees, malnutrition, etc.” The Communists also apparently were keen on finding a Canadian market for such medicines as tiger bone tincture, an extract of sparrow brains and sea horse, and “old drinker brand” syrup made from pears and edible bird nests, the Canadian Press reported. However, Canadian law might thwart the Chinese salesmanship Claims for new drugs—and new claims for old drugs—had to be supported by data from clinical tests before they were allowed into Canada. The Canadian Press said it seemed doubtful that the Chinese could produce such data. Some of their concoctions dated from the Ming dynasty. The tiger bone tincture was described as being efficacious for the cure of gout, rheumatism, aching bones, bruises, and “torpidity of limb.” Only high-grade tiger bones were used, and deer-antler velvet was mixed in. “It also invigorates the bodily constitution,” the literature said. That was understandable—the tincture was 55 per cent, alcohol, CP. said.