University Health Network - Academy of Medicine Collection
Category
Pharmacy
Homeopathy
Classification
Pharmacy
Homeopathy
Accession Number
1980.18.154
Description
Small cylindrical roll with tan paper label and black text, sealed; top and bottom seal missing showing inside a small narrow round clear glass vial with cream coloured round pellets, with a sheet of directions rolled around the vial, with a tan cork closure; number '16' stamped in black ink on top…
Small cylindrical roll with tan paper label and black text, sealed; top and bottom seal missing showing inside a small narrow round clear glass vial with cream coloured round pellets, with a sheet of directions rolled around the vial, with a tan cork closure; number '16' stamped in black ink on top of the cork; red ink stamp in the shape of a pair of wings over the manufacturers name.
Printed on label: "HUMPHREYS // HOMEOPATHIC SPECIFIC // No. 16 25 Cts. // FEVER AND AGUE, // PREPARED BY F. Humphreys & Sons // HUMPHREYS' SPECIFIC HOMEOPATHIC MEDICINE CO. // New York
Permanent Location
Storage Room 0010
0010-A2-4 Row B
Length
6.5 cm
Diameter
2.0 cm
Unit Of Measure
centimeters
Condition Remarks
Top and bottom folds missing; paper darkened and with grubby surface; dark smeared stains across top
Copy Type
original
Reference Comments
Wikipedia
Research Facts
Frederick K. Humphreys (March 11, 1816 – July 18, 1900) was an American physician and the founder of Humphreys Homeopathic Medicine Company in New York City in 1853.
Frederick K. Humphreys (1816-1900), founder of Humphreys Medicine Company, appeared at the rise of both greater acceptance and popularity of the homeopathy in the United States, as opposed to more orthodox medicine. Although bolstered by the relatively high cost and low success rate of traditional medicines, homeopathic remedies soon became a source of controversy due to the largely unknown ingredient lists and contradictory claims of effectiveness. Tandem mass spectrometry analysis (MS/MS) was used to pinpoint the ingredients of four “specifics” in Humphreys’ Homeopathic Remedies. Generated spectra showed similar base peak ions for each pill, leading to the hypothesis that each remedy contained the same basic ingredients. Further MS/MS analyses identified these base peak ions as adducts of sucrose (m/z 365, 381), its related ions (m/z 433, 203, 185), and apigenin (m/z 271).
When placed into a historical context, the application of chemical analyses to study these early remedies can provide insight into the question of validity that evoked arguments during the late nineteenth century.