BE CAREFUL IN USE OF LAXATIVE GUMS
It is safe to say that more proprietary medicines of a laxative character are sold in this country than in any other.
The vogue of chewing gum is also particularly an American institution. It is not surprising therefore that a manufacturer has begun the sale and distribution of chewing gum into which is incorporated a quantity of a well known laxative drug.
Caution in Usage.—While chewing gums thus medicated may be safe as laxatives, there are excellent reasons why this drug should not be sold indiscriminately. Samples were distributed in the streets of some cities, until boards of health prevented such distribution because the samples fell into the hands of children and there were serious results.
Besides, some persons are especially sensitive, and react with severe inflammation of the skin when they take even a small dose of this remedy.
The second use to which chewing gum has been put has been to incorporate drugs alleged to have special properties for reducing obesity.
Thyroid Extract.—Anti-fat chewing gums contain thyroid extract, which is dangerous; drugs that irritate the stomach and disturb the appetite, which are also dangerous, and drugs which have no power whatever, which is foolish. The United States government has recently issued fraud orders against several chewing gums of this character.
The person who uses the gum is told that in addition to taking the remedy she should walk five miles a day, go through certain exercises, and cut down the diet. These practices will bring about a reduction in weight just as well without chewing the gum.