1873 
On the 
Clinical Use 
and 
Physiological Action 
of 
Bromo-Caffeine. 
1^93 PHYSICIANS WILL FIND 
KEASBEY & MATTISON 
CO MBA NY’S 
BROMO-CAFFEINE 
OF THE GREATEST SERVICE IN 
Nervous Headaches 
OF ALL TYPES. 
Headaches from Loss of Sleep, Physical Fatigue, Ex- 
cessive Study, Mental Anxiety, Neurasthenia, Dysmenor- 
rhcea, Pregnancy or other Ovarian Irritation. Relieves 
Insomnia, and is very useful in Asthma, Whooping Cough 
and Nervous Cough. Prevents Tinnitus Aurium during 
the Administration of Quinine. Cures Seasickness. 
Quiets the Restlessness of Alcoholism, Morphia Craving, 
&c. Relieves Anxiety and Promotes Sleep. 
AVOID and DISCOURAGE IMITATIONS and SUBSTITUTIONS. 
The Caffeine preparations were originated by Messrs. Keasbey & 
Mattison, twenty years ago, and are in use throughout the world. 
There are plenty of imitations of Keasbey & Mattison Company’s 
Granulated Effervescent Citrate of Caffeine, and Granulated Effervescent 
Bromo-Caffeine, made by envious or irresponsible competitors. There 
are plenty of substitutes being recommended every day, and sold as 
“Just as Good, Sir, as Keasbey & Mattison’s!” 
by the money-making, unscrupulous venders of such preparations. 
Physicians who desire to have their patients get the article properly 
made, and of guaranteed strength and quality, will not fail to instruct 
their patients to get, or their druggists to dispense, Keasbey & Mattison 
Company’s Effervescent Citrate of Caffeine, or Effervescent Bromo- 
Caffeine, and afterwards see that their instructions are followed. 
KEASBEY & MATTISON COMPANY, 
Originators and Manufacturers of the Genuine Granu- 
lated Effervescent Caffeine Preparations. 
AMBLER, PENNA. On the Clinical Use and Physiological 
Action of Bromo-Caffeine. 
JOHN W. FAHR, M. D. 
In thus bringing Bromo-Caffeine to the notice of my associates 
in the Profession of Medicine, I do so knowing it from long obser- 
vation and close clinical study and experience, to be the best remedy 
yet devised for the relief of headaches in general, and for use in 
the treatment of some forms of nervous disease. There is no one 
affection,—I may say affliction,—which has more severely taxed the 
skill and therapeutic resources of the physician than “headache,” 
and it is in this affection that Bromo-Caffeine exerts its most won- 
derful curative powers. It is, however, not alone in headaches that 
Bromo-Caffeine exerts its marvelous influence ; but its action is seen 
in certain other diseases in which the nervous symptoms predomi- 
nate. Bromo-Caffeine is, no doubt, more largely used in the treat- 
ment of nervous headache than in any other class of disease, probably 
from the fact that this class of headaches is so extremely common ; 
and, while in all cases of headache of purely nervous origin it is the 
treatment most relied upon by the profession—in fact, the treatment 2 
“par excellence”—I wish to direct my confreres’ attention to a class 
of headaches in which it fails to exert any marked influence, and I call 
special attention to it here because many physicians, having used it 
in such cases, and having received no particular benefit from its ad- 
ministration, have thus condemned the remedy after insufficient trial 
on diseased conditions in which its clinical use was not really indi- 
cated. When the condition confronting the physician is simply 
“ headache,” it is always wise to first ascertain, if possible, the cause 
of these symptoms and be assured if really the pain originates within 
the cranium—that is, if it is structural, or if it is due to rheuma- 
tism of the scalp, disease of the bony structure, periostitis, syphilis, 
neuralgia, or disease of the ear. There is also another pregnant cause 
of headaches which should always be borne in mind, viz., it may be 
due to some optical defect ; as, astigmatism may be present and be 
the cause of the pain. In rheumatism of the scalp, prompt relief 
usually follows the administration of ‘ ‘ Alkahthia,” taken contin- 
uously until the urine becomes alkaline to test paper ; while, in 
disease of the bony structure, the surgeon should be consulted. 
In syphilitic headaches, of course, antisyphilitic remedies should 
be used ; while, in case of headaches due to optical defects, the aid of 
the eye surgeon is required. Tumors of the brain also frequently 
produce intense pain in the head ; and these, in common with those 
mentioned above as being from external causes, are among the class 3 
not benefited by the administration of Bromo-Caffeine. It is not 
this class of headaches, therefore, to which I desire to ask your 
attention, but to those comprised under the following heads, and in 
the treatment of which I have found Bromo-Caffeine to be a “ Sheet 
Anchor.” 
i. NERVOUS AND NEURALGIC HEADACHES. 
Headaches arising or resulting from mental or physical fatigue, 
mental exhaustion, worry, loss of sleep or over-work. 
2. REFLEX OR SYMPATHETIC HEADACHES. 
As examples of these, per se, may be noted the headache and 
backache ( Fothergill’s “headache in the back,” as he so aptly calls 
it) of dysmenorrhoea ; from congestion of the liver ; from the stom- 
ach, as in acute attacks of indigestion, or in nervous cough dependent 
upon this' condition ; or from the depression of spirits following the 
excessive use of alcohol, chloral or opium. 
3- TOXEMIC HEADACHES, “Poison in the Blood.” 
The headaches which attend all (a) fevers and other (6) inflam- 
matory disorders, as (a) typhoid and intermittent fevers and(£) 
inflammation of the meninges of the brain, cerebro-spinal fever, etc. 
This class may also include headaches resulting from the administra- 
tion of full doses of Quinine, Salicylic Acid, and Salicylates and 4 
toxic doses of salts of Lead, Copper, etc., which frequently produce 
severe headaches. In the headaches of diabetes, Bromo-Caffeine has 
been found quite efficacious. 
4. MIGRAINE, CEPHALALGIA OR SICK HEADACHE. 
( Of pure type, with or without gastric derangement.) 
In the prompt relief afforded, as effective treatment for these 
several types of headaches, Bromo-Caffeine stands pre-eminent and 
alone. No remedy, at present known to science, gives at once such 
prompt relief, and is so free from secondary effects following the 
administration of large or frequently repeated doses ; it can therefore be 
left with perfect safety in the hands of nurse or patient to be adminis- 
tered as occasion may require. 
The late Dr. Flint, of New York, in speaking of sick headache 
and its treatment, said, “It belongs to the opprobia of Medical art.” 
The discovery and introduction of Bromo-Caffeine, however, wrought 
such a marked change in the successful treatment of this affection, 
that Dr. Flint’s words are no longer applicable. 
I have had a large experience in the treatment of this affection 
and I have found no remedy equal to Bromo-Caffeine. 
Drachm doses of Phosphate of Sodium given morning and eve- 
ning followed by a full dose of Bromo-Caffeine, are very effective, 
particularly when the nervous affection is associated with catarrh of the gastro-intestinal mucous membrane, for which the Phosphate of 
Sodium is of service. When the headache depends upon the invasion 
of the nucleus of the fifth nerve, Bromo-Caffeine, alone, is the best 
treatment, but it must be pushed and the treatment long continued. 
Bromo-Calfeine however, is of value, not alone in the treatment 
of headaches, but in various nervous affections. In the restlessness 
of teething children, from reflex irritation of the fifth pair of nerves, 
Bromo-Caffeine frequently soothes the little sufferer until it drops off 
into a gentle natural .sleep. Remarkable improvement often follows 
the administration of Bromo-Caffeine in cholera infantum, when this 
is primarily due to an irritable state of the nervous system, as in 
teething. When defective alimentation is the cause of the attack, 
of course its administration is useless. In the crying fits and restless- 
ness of infants, I have found small and repeated doses of Bromo- 
Caffeine very valuable. 
Children require comparatively larger doses of this remedy than 
do adults ; but I have found no bad results follow its continued or 
excessive use. 
In the continued restlessness of pregnancy, and also the nervous- 
ness and after-pains following labor, I have found its employment 
useful; as its effect is tranquilizing and restful to the patient. In the 
tinnitus aurium attending the use of Quinine and other alkaloids of 
5 6 
Cinchona, Salicylic Acid and the Salicylates, Bromo-Caffeine is of the 
greatest value in removing this annoying sensation. It should be 
given in from half an hour to an hour after the Quinine or Salicylate 
is taken, and its action is prompt and certain. This peculiar sensa- 
tion (tinnitus) is caused by the action of the drug upon the cere- 
bral centres, and Bromo-Caffeine, acting upon these centres, removes 
the cause. When tinnitus is due to defects of the auditory apparatus, 
Bromo-Caffeine has little or no effect in its dispersion. In heat 
exhaustion, the accompanying severe headache is quickly relieved by 
one or two large do6es of Bromo-Caffeine. In the hot countries of 
the East it is the remedy most depended upon by the Europeans ; 
/ 
while, in the larger cities of the United States, for several years past, 
it has been very largely used by the “stay-at-home ” or “ can’t-get- 
away” clubs, calming the cerebral irritation, promoting diaphoresis, 
and otherwise administering to the comfort of persons subjected to 
the excessive and exhaustive heat of poorly ventilated offices, etc. 
Of late, Bromo-Caffeine has passed into large use in incipient 
phthisis, where its use promotes constructive metamorphosis—though 
not to a greater extent than most Caffeine salts. 
It is very serviceable in allaying the “hacking cough” of 
phthisis. It stimulates the nervous system, promotes tissue forma- 
tion, prevents the abnormal excretion of urea, and increases the 7 
appetite and digestive powers through stimulation of the gastric 
glands. In certain gastric affections, especially those of nervous 
origin, Bromo-Caffeine has been found very valuable. (See also 
Waring’s “ Therapeutics” and Bartholow’s “ Materia Medica.”) 
Bromo-Caffeine is very useful in allaying the paroxysm of asthma 
and whooping cough. (See also Garrod’s “ Therapeutics,” art. 
Caffeine.) In the last stages of chronic Bright’s disease, where 
there is marked cardiac failure, and in those forms of dropsy 
dependent upon this condition, Bromo-Caffeine is of great service, 
promoting free diuresis. In these cases, the more marked the drop- 
sical symptoms, the more decided is the effect of Bromo-Caffeine. 
It can be used alternately with digitalis (see also Gubler’s “ Thera- 
peutics. ’ ’) 
One of the most recent uses to which Bromo-Caffeine has been 
put is in preventing (and aiding recovery from) the great depression 
frequently following the use of Antipyrin. 
It should be more generally understood that Caffeine is the 
direct antagonist of Antipyrin, and the two should never be used in 
conjunction with each other. In the dangerous depression, with 
threatened collapse, following the use of Antipyrin, a hypodermic 
injection of Caffeine will at once avert the threatened danger. This 
should be followed by repeated doses of Bromo-Caffeine. 8 
THE PHYSIOLOGICAL ACTION OF 
BRO MO-CAFFEINE. 
The physiological action of Bromo-Caffeine is that of a primary 
and direct stimulant to the nerve centres, and, through these, a stimu- 
lant to the entire muscular and vascular system and upon the brain. 
Its use slightly diminishes the blood supply, but while its volume is 
diminished, it comes to the nerve centres under increased tension, and, 
hence the assimilation of nutritive material is increased in rapidity. 
It excites mental activity as well as increases mental power, and 
thereby tends to prevent mental exhaustion. It is not a hypnotic 
in the true sense of the word. It produces a calming effect on the 
nervous system and produces and maintains that tranquilizing condi- 
tion most favorable for quiet rest and refreshing sleep. 
In summing up the physiological action of Bromo-Caffeine I 
may say that 
Bromo-Caffeine has an individual action peculiar to 
ITSELF AND NOT FOUND IN ANY OTHER COMBINATION OF DRUGS. 
It is a Brain and Nerve Tonic (food), pure and simple. 
It has a stimulating action upon the muscular and vas- 
cular SYSTEM SIMILARTO THAT OF ALCOHOL, BUT IS WITHOUT THE 
DEPRESSING EFFECTS FOLLOWING THE USE OF ALCOHOLIC 
STIMULANTS. COMPOSITION LIST 
KEASBEY & MATTISON COMPANY’S 
GRANULATED EFFERVESCENT PREPARATIONS. 
IN inviting the attention of our medical friends to the accompanying list of our 
Granular Effervescent Preparations, we suppose it is quite unnecessary to 
say, that the qualities which have made these remedies so deservedly 
popular in the past twenty years, are still maintained, and will continue to be, so 
long as they are manufactured by this Company. 
We originated and introduced many of the most popular combinations 
administered in this form, and are by far the largest manufacturers of Effervescent 
Salts in the world, the goods of our make being held in preference by the leading 
Physicians and Druggists of this and other countries. 
KEASBEY & MATTISON COMPANY, 
CHICAGO. 
AMBLER. 
NEW YORK. 
COMPOSITION LIST. 
Tn each 
COMPOSITION LIST. 
In each 
One heaping teaspoonful equals one 
drachm 
One heaping teaspoonful equals one 
drachm 
drachm. 
drachm. 
Alkalithia (Caffeine with Soda, Fotash 
Lithium Citrate with Soda and Pot- 
and Lithia Carbonates), 
ash (5 grs. Cit. Lithium, 10 grs. 
Acid Salicylic, 
5 grs. 
2 “ 
each,Cit. SodaandPotash), 
Bismuth Citrate (Soluble), 
Lithium Salicylate, 
4 g«. 
Bromo-Caffeine, . . 
I “ 
Lithium Salicylate with Potash (4 
Cafetonique n gr. Caffeine, 5 grs. 
grs. each, Salicylates Lithia and Pot- 
Sacch. Pepsin, 2 grs. Cit. Bismuth, 
ash), 
1-100 gr Strychnia), 
Lithium Salicylate with Soda and 
Caffeine and Bromide Potash (1 gr. 
Potash (4 grs. each. Salicylates 
Caffeine and 5 grs. Bromide Potash), 
Lithia, Soda and Potash), . . 
Caffeine and Bromide Sodium (1 gr 
Lithium Salicylate with Soda (4 grs. 
Caffeine and 5 grs. Bromide Sodium), 
each, Salicylates Lithia and Soda), 
5 “ 
Caffeine Citrate 
I “ 
Magnesium Citrate, 
Cerium Nitrate, 
2 “ 
Magnesian Aperient, 
Cerium Oxalate, 
2 “ 
Pepsin (Saccharated), 
S “ 
Cocaffeine ( Coca-Caffeine—gr. 
Pepsin and Bismuth (5 grs. Pepsin, 2 
Cocaine, 1 gr. Caffeine.) 
grs. Cit. Bismuth), 
Congress Salt (as the natural water), . 
Pepsin, Bismuth and Iron (5 grs. Pep- 
Crab Orchard Salt, 
sin, 2 grs. Cit Bis., 1 gr. Cit. Iron), . 
Iron Carbonate ( Blaud's Ferrous Car- 
Pepsin, Bismuth and Strychnia (5 
bonate), ... 
2 “ 
grs. Pepsin, 2 grs. Cit. Bis , 1-100 gr. 
Iron Citrate (Soluble), 
2 
Strychnia) 
Iron and Arsenic Cit. (2 grs. Cit. Iron, 
Potassium Benzoate, 
2 ** 
1-50 gr. Arsenic), 
Potassium Bicarbonate, 
IO 4t 
Iron Iodide, 
I " 
Potassium Bromide, 
IO “ 
Iron Phosphate, Quinine and Strych. 
Potassium Citrate, 
IO “ 
(2 grs. Phos. Iron, 1 gr. Quinine, 1- 
Potassium Citrate with Lithia do 
100 gr. Strychnia), 
grs. Cit. of Potash, 5 grs. Cit. Lithium), 
Kissingen Salt (as the natural water), 
Pullna Salt (as the natural water), 
Litiiiated Potash (10 grs. each of the 
Rochelle Salt (as the natural water), . 
Bicarbonates of Lithia, Soda and 
Salaperient (Laxative) ... 
Potash), 
4 “ 
Seidlitz Mixture (Seidlitz Powder 
Lithium Benzoate, 
4 “ 
U. S.P.) 
Lithium Bromide, 
2 ** 
Seltzer Salt (as the natural water), . . 
Lithium Carbonate, 
4 “ 
Sodium Bicarbonate, 
IO “ 
Lithium Citrate, 
Lithium Citrate with Potash (5 grs. 
s “ 
Sodium Salicylate, 
Sodium Salicylate with Potash (4 
grs, each, Salicylates Soda and Potash), 
5 “ 
Cit. Lith , 10 grs. Cit. Potash), . . . 
Lithium Citrate with Soda (5 grs. 
Vichy Salt (as the natural water), . . 
Cit. Lithium, 10 grs. Cit. Soda),. . . 
Vichy Lithiated (Vichy Salt with Lith.), “An effervescent preparation known as Bromo-Caffeine is often efficacious 
in aborting a paroxysm of headache, or in palliating it after it has got under way.” 
WM. PEPPER, M.D., 
Provost and Professor of the Theory and Practice 
of Medicine and of Clinical Medicine 
See Page 414, in in the University of Pennsylvania. 
“ A System of Practical Medicine,” 
By Wm. Pepper, M. D., and Louis Starr, M. D.