Massengill's Elixir Sulfanilamide: The Confiscation Roundup

In all, 31 states and Puerto Rico received a total of 633 shipments of Elixir Sulfanilamide, the majority of which were in pint bottles. The elixir was distributed coast to coast within the (then) 48 states and as far north as Harvey, North Dakota, and the upper peninsula of Michigan and as far south as San Juan, Puerto Rico (map). Shipment endpoints were frequently tiny settlements, far from any remotely beaten path—like Wink, Texas, Wedowee, Alabama, and Doe Hill, Virginia (the last of which doesn't even have a Wikipedia entry). During the last 2 weeks of October 1937, nearly all FDA inspectors in the field (239) had picked up, destroyed, or otherwise accounted for 228 gallons and 2 pints of elixir of the 240 gallons produced, including hundreds of salesmen's and physicians' samples [1].

Along the way, the FDA uncovered scores of deaths, many of which would otherwise have been misattributed to other causes or remained deliberately concealed, as demonstrated by numerous field reports. Deaths roughly paralleled the volume of elixir shipments to a geographic region. But deaths were also a function of the willingness of local physicians* to prescribe the new product and chance—given that the likelihood of death after diethylene glycol consumption proved to be about 25%.

A total of 11 gallons and 6 pints of elixir were dispensed on prescription or over the counter (OTC) throughout the United States. Approximately half of this volume was consumed, and the remainder was literally (not just figuratively) taken out of the hands of patients by FDA inspectors, when possible. The first death occurred as early as September 24, and the last victim died October 31.** At least 97 deaths were believed to be due to elixir ingestion; approximately 30% of these victims were children or infants. Another 10 deaths were associated with and possibly due to elixir consumption.

If the entire 240 gallons of distributed Elixir Sulfanilamide had been dispensed and consumed, an estimated 4000 people would have died.

* For example, high-volume prescribers Dr. Archie Calhoun of Mt. Olive, MS, or Dr. Henry Weathers of East St. Louis, IL.

** John (Johney) C. Holloway of Clayton, AL, and John Thomas Tanner of Rocky Mount, NC, respectively. "Baby" Singleton of Eufaula died sometime in September; however, the date of death is currently unknown.

N.B.: Prescription data for CA, CT, NY, and PA are not presently complete. The total number of shipments exceeds 633, owing to occasional interstate shipping of stocks of elixir from pharmacy to pharmacy.

Primary source: Wallace HA. Report of the Secretary of Agriculture on the deaths due to Elixir-Sulfanilamide-Massengill. November 16, 1937.