Massengill's Elixir Sulfanilamide: The Scramble to Confiscate (8)

The FDA's St. Louis station oversaw confiscation of Massengill's Elixir Sulfanilamide in Arkansas, Illinois, and Missouri.

Arkansas

One pint each of Elixir Sulfanilamide was sent from Massengill's branch in Kansas City, Missouri, to 1 drug store each in the rural communities of Blevins, Ola, and Taylor. Only 3 prescriptions were written in the state, all of which were dispensed from the Blevins Drug Company [1].

When approached by the FDA inspector, the prescribing physician James E. Gentry (of McCaskill) identified one of his patients as "Jewell Long," an itinerant "negro" with gonorrhea. "Diligent investigation," however, revealed that Dr. Gentry's patient was, in fact, a young white girl, Ruth Jeanell Long, who was the daughter of a local farmer. Two ounces of the elixir had been prescribed for a streptococcal infection. Ruth Jeanell had last taken the medicine on October 16 and died October 24, 21 days after her seventh birthday.* The FDA concluded that Dr. Gentry probably tried to mislead the federal investigator [1,2].

In Arkansas, 3 wholly or partially consumed elixir prescriptions resulted in 1 death.

Illinois

A cumulative total of 7.5 gallons of Massengill's elixir, most of it sent from the company's Kansas City branch, were distributed in Illinois. Recipients included 16 physicians' offices and 22 drug vendors in 12 communities, the overwhelming majority of which which were in or clustered around East St. Louis. A total of 68 prescriptions were either wholly or partially consumed. The bulk of these prescriptions, 47 (or 70%), were dispensed by the Walter J. Daut Pharmacy (47) and the Lincoln Pharmacy (20), both in East St. Louis [1].

Except for 1 victim, Hazel Fea of Granite City, all the deceased were residents of East St. Louis and patients of Dr. Henry H. Weathers. The first of the 7 confirmed elixir-related deaths** occurred on October 10; the last, October 24 (38-year-old Gertrude L. Black). Among the elixir survivors in this region, a relatively high percentage complained of nausea, vomiting, or back pain during their treatment—which often prompted the discontinuation of the medication. This observation may explain the low fatality rate in Illinois, 10% (7 deaths among 68 prescriptions).

Missouri

A relatively small volume of elixir, 3.75 gallons, was distributed to 5 physicians and 12 drug vendors in 8 different communities, including St. Louis, where approximately 75% of the state's elixir stocks were shipped [1]. Only 1 prescription was dispensed.

Six ounces of elixir were given to William M. Schroeder, 50, of St. Louis, on October 14 by his physician, Dr. L. F. Murray, for an "infection." The physician had purchased 1 gallon of the product from the company's Kansas City branch the previous day. On October 16, Schroeder, a brewery employee, complained of nausea and pain, after taking a total of about 5 ounces. Dr. Murray advised his patient to stop the medication and proceed to the hospital, but Schroeder refused. During the FDA's statewide investigation, an inspector found the patient, ill at home on October 21, and attempted to confiscate the remaining ounce, but Schroeder refused to turn over the product, which he wanted for legal proceedings. Schroeder was taken to Barnes Hospital the following day, where he died on October 24. Schroeder's widow, Matilda, retained the remaining elixir. The couple had been married 4 months [1,4-7].  

* Findings consistent with diethylene glycol poisoning were confirmed by autopsy, after the body was exhumed for examination.

** Another elixir patient of Dr. Weathers, Bessie Lee Bosley, 53, died October 10 of "septicemia" and "infection of the neck" [1,3]. According to the FDA report, "Inspector visited the patient's sister who informed him that patient had infected teeth and her jaw was swollen and in very bad condition at time of death. The sister thought she died from the infection" [1].

1. FDA correspondence. Report from J. O. Clarke to P. B. Dunbar. November 17, 1937.

2. M'Caskill child is first reported victim in state. Hope Star. October 27, 1937; p 1 col 8, p 3 col 5.

3. Illinois death certificate 771.

4. Missouri death certificate 9912.

5. Most sulfanilamide elixir is recovered. St. Louis Post-Dispatch. October 26, 1937; p 10A, col 1.

6. Two more deaths here from Elixir of Sulfanilamide. St. Louis Post-Dispatch. October 25, 1937; p 3A, col 1.

7. FDA newspaper clippings. Elixir widow gets settlement. St. Louis Post-Dispatch. December 10, 1937. 

Photo of Eads Bridge connecting East St. Louis, IL, and St. Louis, MO, by "ca newsom" at Flickr.