318. Physicians Drug Refrence

August 3, 2011

Q: I am inquiring to find a piece that resembled a physicians drug reference insert for “Reciprocal Toxin” or something like that.

A: From Cartoon Carol: It was an ad for Reprisol (Toxin), and it appeared in COMA, a parody medical journal that ran in the May ’75 (Medicine) issue. Other miracle drugs promoted in COMA were Placebin (no medical effect at all, but acceptable to hypochondriacs) and Terminalin (“for cerebral infusion where euthanasia is indicated”; it’s a pill bottle full of bullets). Thanks, Carol!

Comments

additional details to my original query: The ad was for a drug marketed to doctors with problem patients. They have the worst 48-72 hours of their life... and LIVE! Terrible symptoms and pain for your worst hypocondriac or problem patient.

—gahanwilsonhauntsmydreams

August 9, 2011 11:08 am

It was an ad for Reprisol (Toxin), and it appeared in COMA, a parody medical journal that ran in the May '75 (Medicine) issue. Other miracle drugs promoted in COMA were Placebin (no medical effect at all, but acceptable to hypochondriacs) and Terminalin ("for cerebral infusion where euthanasia is indicated"; it's a pill bottle full of bullets).

—Cartoon Carol

August 9, 2011 8:47 pm

D'oh! I knew I shoulda checked that issue. Thanks again, Carol!

—Mark

August 19, 2011 10:28 pm

You know, I think this joke was first presented in Mad Magazine in the early '60s. I remember it, and was trying to find reference to it on the web, and ended up here. As I recall, they listed dosages in .22, .38 and .45 caliber. Don't recall Terminalin but think they used the phrase, "Caloric Plumbum" instead.

—Jim

January 4, 2012 12:42 am

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