1.—14.

[J. M. MASON.

Antipon. Supplied by the "Antipon" Company, 13 Buckingham Street, Strand; 2s. 6d. per bottle, holding a little over 6J fluid ounces. The bottle bears no label, but has the word "Antipon" blown in the glass. A circular enclosed with the bottle gives a number of rules on the subject of dietary, together with statements on the merits of the article, from which the following extracts are taken: — "As a really permanent cure for corpulence, combining remarkable fat-reducing properties with tonic principles of the highest quality, 'Antipon' is justly regarded by the most competent authorities as one of the most valuable discoveries in modern therapeutics, solving once and for all the vexed question of the radical cure of obesity without harmful after effects. ' Antipon ' absolutely and definitely replaces all the weakening and frequently dangerous processes, systems, and medicines which have hitherto done duty as remedies for the disease of obesity. It provides the medical practitioner and the public with a powerful and entirely harmless specific not hitherto within their reach. " Within a day and a night of taking the first dose there will be a reduction of weight varying from 8 oz. to 3 lb., in extreme cases even more. The subsequent daily decrease will be persistent until normal weight and dimensions are attained, when the doses may be discontinued. "Directions for Use. —Take two dessertspoonfuls in half a wineglassful of water, immediately after meals. N.B. —After taking dose, cork the bottle securely." Analysis showed the liquid to be a solution of citric acid in water, of the strength of 393 gr. in a fluid ounce; a red colouring substance is also present, and o'4 per cent, of alcohol, the latter being doubtless introduced with the colouring. The red colour can be perfectly matched with cochineal, but the behaviour towards alkalies and other reagents shows differences; cochineal, with the addition of a little methyl orange, however, shows in most respects a similar behaviour. Estimated cost of ingredients (6 J fluid ounces), ljd. Russell's Anti-Corpulent Preparation. Supplied by F. C. Russell, Woburn House, Store Street, London, W.C. Price, 6s. per bottle, holding 12£ fluid ounces. This preparation, like the previous one, is in a bottle bearing no label; the letters " F.C.R." are blown in the glass, and the bottle is enclosed in a perfectly plain case, with no printed matter accompanying it. A pamphlet on the subject of the medicine is posted separately to the person ordering it; in this it is explained that, — "Acting upon the many suggestions received, principally from ladies, the bottles are packed quite plainly, and without the ordinary trade labels usually found upon medicines, &c. The box is quite devoid of advertisements or anything whatever likely to denote its contents. The servants and others attached to the household may therefore be safely intrusted to open the box ; inquisitiveness, if present, will not be rewarded." In this pamphlet very detailed directions are also given for taking the medicine, and for diet and exercise. It is also stated, — "In a very short space of time, say, twenty-four hours, a considerable quantity of the most unhealthy fat will have been removed from that part of the system most in need of relief from the adipose matter oppressing it (the quantity varies from 8 oz. to 2 lb., or even more). " The dose is one tablespoonful in a half-wineglassful of water, within, say, ten minutes after each meal." Analysis showed the liquid to consist of a solution of citric acid in water, containing 37 gr. in a fluid ounce. The orange colour was found to be due to iron, which is present to the extent of o'ol2 per cent.; and o'4 per cent, of alcohol was also found. Addition of this proportion of iron in the form of the ammonio-citrate was found to give a practically identical colour, and the formula is thus, — Citric acid, 37 gr. Iron and ammonium-citrate, J gr. Rectified spirit, 2 minims. Water to 1 fluid ounce. Estimated cost of ingredients (12J fluid ounces), 2'ld. Absorbit Reducing Paste. This and the following preparation are supplied by Miss Johnson, " The Celebrated Hygienic Skin Specialist," 41 Conduit Street, W. The paste, or both preparations, appear to be also known under the name of " Zobeide," as the paste was supplied in response to an order for "Zobeida," and the jar bears a label giving a so-called " analysis " (which it is needless to say is no analysis) beginning, " We have carefully examined the Zobeide Tissue Absorbers and Paste." The price of the paste is 3s. 6d., and the jar contained just over 2 oz. The directions on the label are, — "Rub in a circular direction, at night, where needed, for five minutes or more; firm, even movements, and only use as much as the skin will absorb."

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