1937 — Sep-Oct, Elixir Sulfanilamide poisoning due to addition of diethylene glycol-105-106
–98-106 Blanchard tally from State and local breakouts below. (We use 105-106 as range)
— 105 Akst, Jef. “The Elixir Tragedy, 1937.” The Scientist, June 2013.
— 105 Greenberg, Michael I. Disasters: Terrorist, Natural and Man-Made. 2006, p. 28.
— >100 Ballentine. “Taste of Raspberries…1937 Elixir Sulfanilamide Incident.” June 1981.
Summary of Breakout of Elixir Sulfanilamide Deaths By State
Alabama (9-11)
Arkansas ( 1)
California ( 1)
Florida (2-3)
Georgia (11-12)
Illinois ( 7)
Kansas ( 1)
Mississippi (23-24)
Missouri ( 3)
North Carolina (2-3)
Ohio ( 1)
Oklahoma (11)
South Carolina ( 9)
Tennessee ( 6)
Texas (7-9)
Virginia ( 2)
West Virginia ( 2)
Total 107-115
Alabama (9-11)
–11 Pathophilia. “Elixir Sulfanilamide: Deaths in Alabama.” Webpage accessed 10-31-2017.
— 1 Clayton, Sep 24. John (Johnay) C. Holloway, 22. (Martin. “Elixir Sulfanilamide.” Pathophilia.)
— 1 Dauphin Island, Oct 10 in Mobile infirmary. Infant girl, 6-months.[1]
— 1 Demopolis area, Oct 14. Ed ( or Edd) Scott, 5. (Martin. “Elixir Sulfanilamide.” Pathophilia.)
— 1 Dothan, Oct 3. Male, 26. Pathophilia. “Elixir Sulfanilamide: Deaths in Alabama.”[2]
— 1 Dothan, Oct 4. Female, 49. Pathophilia. “Elixir Sulfanilamide: Deaths in Alabama.”[3]
— 3 Eufaula, by Oct 23. UP. “Elixir Deaths Mount.” Berkeley Daily Gazette, CA. 10-23-1937, p.1.
–1 Sep 25. Infant girl, 11 months, being treated for streptococcal septicemia.[4]
–1 Oct 6. Female, 68. Pathophilia. “Elixir Sulfanilamide: Deaths in Alabama.”[5]
–1 Oct 17. Male, 47. Pathophilia. “Elixir Sulfanilamide: Deaths in Alabama.”[6]
— 1 Guntersville, Oct 16. Girl, 2, being treated for strep throat.[7]
— 1 Headland, Sep 25. (Being treated for infection associated with ‘nail in foot.)[8]
— 1 Pisgah, Oct 17. Male, 42, after consuming “some or all of a three-ounce prescription.”[9]
Arkansas ( 1)
–1 McCaskill, Oct 22-23, girl, 7.[10]
California ( 1)
–1 Fresno, Oct 24. Boy, 5, being treated for streptococcal sore throat and high fever.[11]
Florida ( 3)
–1 Jacksonville, Oct 11. Male, 35, being treated for gonorrhea.[12]
–1 Jacksonville, Oct 16. Male, 37, possibly being treated for gonorrhea by same physician.[13]
–1 Seaboard, Oct 16 at Quincy. Boy, 4, after taking two ounces of the elixir.[14]
Georgia (12) Eleven confirmed and two possible.[15]
–13 State. Martin, Barbara J. “Elixir Sulfanilamide: Deaths of 1937.” Pathophilia.
–12 State. Blanchard.[16]
— 2 Ballentine. “Taste of Raspberries…The 1937 Elixir Sulfanilamide Incident.” June 1981.
— 1 Covington, Oct 8. Male, 29 from Porterdale.[17]
— 1 Franklin Hospital, Oct 26. Male, 34, from Swainsboro.[18]
— 1 Gainesville, Oct 5. Male, 36, transferred to Downey Hospital from Dahlonega.[19]
— 1 Gainesville, Oct 19. Male, 19, from Dahlonega.[20]
— 1 Garfield, Oct 7. Male, 66.[21]
— 1 Greensboro, Oct 6. Girl, 34-months.[22]
— 1 Griffin, Oct 18. Male, 22.[23]
— 1 McDonough, Oct 6. Infant girl, 16-moths, after taking two ounces for a “bad sore throat.”[24]
— 1 Millen, Oct 16. Male, 35.[25]
— 1 Millen hospital, Oct 21. Male, 26, from Wadley.[26]
— 1 Statesboro, Oct 19. Female, 45.[27]
— 1 Waycross, Sep 26. Male, 32 railroad foreman from Dillard, AL.[28]
Illinois ( 7)
–6 East St. Louis, by Oct 21. UP. “Elixir Deaths Mount.” Berkeley Daily Gazette, CA. 10-23-1937, p. 1.
–1 St. Mary’s Hospital, Oct 8. Female, 53, of East St. Louis, IL (possible).[29]
–1 St. Mary’s Hospital, Oct 15. Male, 26, from East St. Louis, IL.[30]
–1 St. Mary’s Hosp., Oct 16. Boy (Edwin Maurice Slaughter), 4, of East St. Louis, IL.[31]
–1 St. Mary’s Hospital, St. Louis, MO. Oct 18. Male, 60, from East St. Louis, IL.[32]
–1 St. Mary’s Hospital, St. Louis, MO. Oct 21. Male, 70, from East St. Louis, IL.[33]
–1 Homer G. Hospital, St. Louis, MO, Oct 24. Female, 38 from East St. Louis, IL.[34]
–1 Granite City, by Oct 23. UP. “Elixir Deaths Mount.” Berkeley Daily Gazette, CA. 10-23-1937, p. 1.
Kansas ( 1)
–1 Hutchinson, by Oct 23. UP. “Elixir Deaths Mount.” Berkeley Daily Gazette, CA. 10-23-1937, p. 1.
Mississippi (23-24)
–23-24 (23 confirmed, 1 possible).[35]
Breakout of Mississippi Deaths where noted:
–1 Benton, Oct 11. Boy (Walter Bell), 11. (Source: Barbara J. Martin.)
–1 Benton, Oct 24. Girl (Sallie Louise Brown), 7. (Source: Barbara J. Martin.)
–1 Bentonia, Oct 2. Male (Franklin Jones), 28. (Source: Barbara J. Martin.)
–1 Bentonia, Oct 8. Male (Essie Davis), 48, at Charity Hospital in Vicksburg. (B. J. Martin)
–1 Bentonia, Oct 15. Male (Steve Demus), 25, at Charity Hospital in Vicksburg. (B. J. Martin)
–1 Burnsville, Oct 22. Male infant (Jerry Gordon Strickland), 33-months, at Corinth Hosp.[36]
–1 Collins, Oct 9. Person (Leffie Easterling), 25. (Source: Barbara J. Martin.)[37]
–1 Collins, Oct 14. Female (Katie (or Katy) Stuckey), 38, at Magee Gen. Hospital. B.J. Martin.
–1 Deasonville, Oct 4. Male (Joe Hewitt), 32. (Source: Barbara J. Martin.)
–1 Ellisville, Oct 10. Male (Robert A. Boutwell), 27 at Laurel General Hospital. (B. J. Martin.)
–1 Ellisville, Oct 20. Male (James Monroe Vick), 53. (Source: Barbara J. Martin.)
–5 Laurel, by Oct 23. UP. “Elixir Deaths Mount.” Berkeley Daily Gazette, CA. 10-23-1937, 1.[38]
–1 Oct 4. Male (Claiborne L. Anderson), 37. (Source: Barbara J. Martin.)
–1 Oct 5. Male (Albert Cole), 19. (Source: Barbara J. Martin.)
–1 Oct 21. Male (Emmett Pickens), 21. (Source: Barbara J. Martin.)
–1 Magee, Oct 20. Female (Mrs. Julius Edmond (Nola) Penn, 62, at Magee General Hospital.[39]
–1 Mize. Oct 17. Male (Edie {or Eddie} Sullivan, 49, at Magee General Hospital. (B. J. Martin)
–6 Mount Olive, Sep 29-Oct 2.[40] [We speculate that this figure included the broader area.]
–1 Oct 15. Female, 22 (Mrs. Gussie Mae {or May} Grubbs. Barbara J. Martin source.
–1 Oct 19. Male (Otis Coulter), 36, at Magee General Hospital. (Barbara J. Martin)
–1 Oct 21. Mrs. J. E. Penn. AP. “Other Deaths.” Daily Herald, Biloxi, 10-21-1937, p. 1.
–1 New Albany, Oct 14. Male (William Corneel Howell), 38, at Mayes Hospital. (B. J. Martin)
–1 Philadelphia area, Oct 20. Girl (Lorene (or Lorece) Lewis, 7. (Source: Barbara J. Martin.)
–1 Sanatorium, Oct 5. Female (Hettie Young), 18. (Source: Barbara J. Martin.)
–1 Vicksburg, Charity Hospital, Sep 29. Male (Martin Shelby), 24, from Bentonia. (B.J. Martin)
–1 Yazoo City, Afro-American Hospital, Sep 25. Male (Henry G. Taylor), 28 from Bentonia.[41]
Missouri ( 3)
–1 St. Louis Hospital, Oct 10. Female (Hazel Mildred Fea), 23 from Potosi, MO. (B. J. Martin)
–1 St. Louis, St. Mary’s Infirmary, Oct 18. Boy, 5, visiting from Pine Bluff Arkansas..[42]
–1 St. Louis, Barnes Hospital, Oct 24. Male, 50.[43]
North Carolina (2-3)
–1 Rocky Mount Sanitarium, Oct 17. Male (Charles Richardson), 24 from Nashville. (B Martin)
–1 Rocky Mount, Oct 31. Male (John Thomas Tanner), 59. (Source: Barbara J. Martin)
–1 Rocky Mount, Park View Hospital, Oct 23. Boy (Billy Lee Lindsey), almost 4. (Probable.)[44]
Ohio ( 1)
–1 Akron, ~Oct 18, girl, 6. UP. “Death At Akron.” Star Journal, Sandusky, OH, 10-26-1937, p. 12.[45]
Oklahoma (11)
–11 State. Martin, Barbara J. “Elixir Sulfanilamide: Deaths of 1937.” Pathophilia.
— 9 Tulsa. AP. “Poisonous Drug Causes Death at Memphis.” Daily Herald, Biloxi, MS, 10-21-1937, 1.
— 6 Tulsa. Akst, Jef. “The Elixir Tragedy, 1937.” The Scientist, June 2013.
Breakout of Oklahoma deaths:
–1 Tulsa, Sep 30. Robert Sumner, 2, of Leonard, who died at aunt’s home in Tulsa. (B J Martin)
–1 Tulsa, Oct 1. Mary Earline Watters, 11-months, at St. John’s Hospital. (Barbara J. Martin)
–1 Tulsa, Oct 1. John “Jack” King, Jr., 8, at St. John’s Hospital. (Source: Barbara J. Martin)
–1 Tulsa, Oct 4. Millard Wesley Wakeford, 5, at St. John’s Hospital. (Barbara J. Martin)
–1 Tulsa, Oct 5. Joan Marlar (or Nidiffer),[46] 6, at Morningside Hosp. (Source: Barbara J. Martin)
–1 Tulsa, Oct 6. Michael S. Sheehan, 6, at St. John’s Hospital. (Source: Barbara J. Martin)
–1 Tulsa, Oct 9. Kathleen Estelle Hobson, 8, of Red Fork, at Morningside Hosp. (B. J. Martin)
–1 Tulsa, Oct 9. Glen Frederick Entler, 19, of Tuscola, while visiting aunt and uncle. (Martin)
–1 Tulsa, Oct 12. Charlene Mardell Canady, 4, at St. John’s Hospital. (Source: Barbara Martin)
–1 Tulsa, Oct 16. Earl Lee Beard, 25, in a city hospital. (Source: Barbara J. Martin)
–1 Tulsa, Oct 27. Wilmer L. Morris, 22, of Osage, at St. John’s Hospital. (Barbara J. Martin)
South Carolina ( 9)
–9 State. Martin, Barbara J. “Elixir Sulfanilamide: Deaths of 1937.” Pathophilia.
–4 Ballentine. “Taste of Raspberries…The 1937 Elixir Sulfanilamide Incident.” June 1981.
Breakout of South Carolina deaths:
–1 Brunson, Oct 7. Susie Mae DeLoach, 16. (Source: Barbara Martin)
–1 Charleston, Sep 30. Oscar Chisolm, 26-months, at Roper Hospital. (Source: Barbara Martin)
–1 Charleston, Sep 30. Ella Blanche Washington, 3, at Roper Hosp. (Source: Barbara Martin)
–1 Charleston, Oct 4. Pearl Locklair, 37, at Roper Hospital. (Source: Barbara Martin)
–1 Charleston, Oct 12. James Stewart, 10, of Union Heights, at Roper Hosp. (Barbara Martin)
–1 Charleston, Oct 13. Ward St. John O’Brien, 38, at Charleston Hospital & Training School.[47]
–1 Estill, Oct 14. Harry M. Terry, 34. (Source: Barbara J. Martin)
–1 Estill, Cohen’s Bluff Camp of Hendrix Lumber Mill, Oct 14. John McDaniel, 35. (Martin)
–1 Scotia. Oct 18. Willie Badger, 25. (Source: Barbara J. Martin)
Tennessee ( 6)
–6 State. Martin, Barbara J. “Elixir Sulfanilamide: Deaths of 1937.” Pathophilia.
–1 Cleveland, Oct 24. Charles Alexander Meredith, Jr., 17, at Physicians and Surgeons Hosp.[48]
–1 Knoxville neighborhood of Bearden, Oct 17. William E. Kyte, 38, Knoxville Gen. Hosp.[49]
–1 Knoxville, Oct 21. Dr. J. E. Byrd, 65.[50]
–1 Memphis, Oct 17. Columbus Bryant, 34, at John Gaston Hospital. (Source: Barbara Martin)
–1 Memphis, Oct 20. C. W. Miller, 25.[51] (Charles William Miller; died at Methodist Hosp.)[52]
–1 Sevierville, Oct 12. Horace Williams, 25, at St. May’s Hospital in Knoxville. (B. J. Martin)
Texas (7-9)
–7-9 State. Martin, Barbara J. “Elixir Sulfanilamide: Deaths of 1937.” Pathophilia.[53]
–4 By Oct 25. AP. “Nation in a Search for Liquid Medicine.” Lincoln State Journal, NE, 10-25-1937, p. 2.
Breakout of Texas deaths by locality:
–1 Centerville, Oct 18. Louis Jean Wilkins, 4, being treated for an “inflamed” throat.[54]
–1 Commerce, Oct 20. Mollie May Schmittou, 18, being treated for “boils.” (Source: Martin)
–1 Galveston, Oct 10. Robert Montgomery Goode, 29, of Texas City, at John Sealy Hospital.[55]
–1 Goree, Oct 6. Possible. Lillie M. Howard, 5, being treated for strep throat with 2-oz dose.[56]
–1 Hatchel, Oct 13. Alberta Yvonne Howell, 2, at Halley-Love Sanitarium in Ballinger.[57]
–1 Hemphill, Oct 4. Girl, Johnie Fay Kay, 12. (Source: Barbara J. Martin)
–1 Highbank, Oct 12. Levi (or Levy) Kelly, 19. (Source: Barbara J. Martin)
–1 Marlin, by Oct 23. UP. “Elixir Deaths Mount.” Berkeley Daily Gazette, CA. 10-23-1937, p.1.[58]
–1 Wichita Falls, Oct 10. William Taft Parker, 27, at Bethania Hospital.[59]
Virginia ( 2)
–1 Petersburg, Oct 7. Martha “Bettie” Agnes Cairns, 24, at Petersburg Hospital. (B J Martin)
–1 Petersburg Hospital, Oct 17. Robert Harrison Mayes, 7, being treated for strep throat.[60]
West Virginia ( 2)
–1 Beckley, Oct 11. William Irvin (or Irvine), 17. (Source: Barbara J. Martin)
–1 Beckley, Oct 18. Jonathan Walter Lyons, 35, at Beckley Hospital. Probably elixir-related.[61]
Narrative Information
Akst: “The US Food and Drug Administration’s role in the regulation of novel medicines was born out of tragedy. Seventy-one adults and 34 children died in the fall of 1937 after taking a drug called Elixir Sulfanilamide to treat a variety of ailments, from gonorrhea to sore throat. At that time, the FDA, which had been launched in 1906 as the Bureau of Chemistry, served simply to police claims made about food and drug ingredients. No formal government approval was required to market new drugs….
“Massengill’s chief chemist concocted a solution of 10 percent sulfanilamide, 72 percent diethylene glycol, and 16 percent water. The company’s internal control lab approved the solution’s appearance, taste, and fragrance—it was flavored with raspberry extract, saccharin, and caramel, among other ingredients—and by September 1937, Massengill had distributed 240 gallons of the liquid, called Elixir Sulfanilamide, across the country….” (Akst, Jef. “The Elixir Tragedy, 1937.” The Scientist, June 2013.)
Ballentine: Abstract: “By the 1930s it was widely recognized that the Food and Drugs Act of 1906 was obsolete, but bitter disagreement arose as to what should replace it. By 1937 most of the arguments had been resolved but Congressional action was stalled. Then came a shocking development–the deaths of more than 100 people after using a drug that was clearly unsafe. The incident hastened final enactment in 1938 of the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act, the statute that today remains the basis for FDA regulation of these products….
“….During September and October 1937 this drug [Elixir Sulfanilamide] was responsible for the deaths of more than 100 people in 15 states, as far east as Virginia and as far west as California. The drug and the deaths led to the passage of the 1938 Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act, which increased FDA’s authority to regulate drugs.
“Sulfanilamide, a drug used to treat streptococcal infections, had been shown to have dramatic curative effects and had been used safely for some time in tablet and powder form. In June 1937, however, a salesman for the S.E. Massengill Co., in Bristol, Tenn., reported a demand in the southern states for the drug in liquid form. The company’s chief chemist and pharmacist, Harold Cole Watkins, experimented and found that sulfanilamide would dissolve in diethylene glycol. The company control lab tested the mixture for flavor, appearance, and fragrance and found it satisfactory. Immediately, the company compounded a quantity of the elixir and sent shipments–633 of them–all over the country.
“The new formulation had not been tested for toxicity. At the time the food and drugs law did not require that safety studies be done on new drugs. Selling toxic drugs was, undoubtedly, bad for business and could damage a firm’s reputation, but it was not illegal.
“Because no pharmacological studies had been done on the new sulfanilamide preparation, Watkins failed to note one characteristic of the solution. Diethylene glycol, a chemical normally used as an antifreeze, is a deadly poison.
“The first shipments were sent out in early September. On October 11, the American Medical Association (AMA) received reports from physicians in Tulsa, Okla., that an unfamiliar sulfanilamide compound was responsible for a number of deaths. The AMA asked for samples of the drug and then wired the Massengill Co., requesting the composition of the compound. The AMA laboratory isolated diethylene glycol as the toxic ingredient and immediately issued a warning, through newspapers and radio, that Elixir Sulfanilamide was toxic and deadly.
“A New York physician learned of the deaths on the 14th and promptly notified Food and Drug Administration headquarters. An inspector from the agency’s Kansas City Station confirmed that eight children and one adult had died and that all had taken a product labeled “Elixir Sulfanilamide, the S.E. Massengill Co., Manufacturing Pharmacists, Bristol, Tenn.-Va.”
“Inspectors were immediately dispatched to the firm’s headquarters in Bristol and to branch offices in Kansas City, New York, and San Francisco. They found that the firm had already learned of the poisonous effects of the liquid sulfanilamide and had sent telegrams to more than 1,000 salesmen, druggists, and doctors. However, the telegrams merely requested the return of the product and failed to indicate the urgency of the situation or say that the drug was lethal. At FDA’s insistence, the firm sent out a second wave of messages, worded more strongly: “Imperative you take up immediately all elixir sulfanilamide dispensed. Product may be dangerous to life. Return all stocks, our expense.”
“FDA then set out to make sure all of the drug was retrieved. Practically the entire field force of 239 FDA inspectors and chemists was assigned to the task. State and local health officials joined the search. Newspapers and radio stations continued to issue warnings….
“In many cases, locating the purchasers of the elixir required some real detective work. In some drugstores, the elixir had been sold without prescriptions to purchasers whose names the druggist didn’t know. In other cases, doctors had incomplete records–or none at all–of the names and addresses of patients for whom they had prescribed. In East St. Louis, Ill., for instance, 49 prescriptions were filled and the only identification on some were such notations as “Betty Jane, 9 months old,” or “Mrs. Jackson (no address).”….
“Victims of Elixir Sulfanilamide poisoning–many of them children being treated for sore throats–were ill about 7 to 21 days. All exhibited similar symptoms, characteristic of kidney failure: stoppage of urine, severe abdominal pain, nausea, vomiting, stupor, and convulsions. They suffered intense and unrelenting pain. At the time there was no known antidote or treatment for diethylene glycol poisoning.
“In a letter to President Franklin D. Roosevelt, a woman described the death of her child:
“The first time I ever had occasion to call in a doctor for [Joan] and she was given Elixir of Sulfanilamide. All that is left to us is the caring for her little grave. Even the memory of her is mixed with sorrow for we can see her little body tossing to and fro and hear that little voice screaming with pain and it seems as though it would drive me insane. … It is my plea that you will take steps to prevent such sales of drugs that will take little lives and leave such suffering behind and such a bleak outlook on the future as I have tonight.”
“A few simple tests on experimental animals would have demonstrated the lethal properties of the elixir. Even a review of the current existing scientific literature would have shown that other studies–such as those reported in several medical journals–had indicated that diethylene glycol was toxic and could cause kidney damage or failure. But in 1937 the law did not prohibit the sale of dangerous, untested, or poisonous drugs. Dr. Samual Evans Massengill, the firm’s owner, said: “My chemists and I deeply regret the fatal results, but there was no error in the manufacture of the product. We have been supplying a legitimate professional demand and not once could have foreseen the unlooked-for results. I do not feel that there was any responsibility on our part.” The firm’s chemist apparently did not share this feeling; Harold Watkins committed suicide after learning of the effects of his latest concoction.
“Through the dogged persistence of federal, state, and local health agencies and the effects of the AMA and the news media, most of the elixir was recovered. Of 240 gallons manufactured and distributed, 234 gallons and 1 pint was retrieved; the remainder was consumed and caused the deaths of the victims.
“Twenty-five seizures were made under federal law. The charge was misbranding. “Elixir,” FDA said, implied the product was an alcoholic solution whereas it was, in fact, a diethylene glycol solution and contained no alcohol. If the product had been called a “solution” instead of an “elixir,” no charge of violating the law could have been made. FDA would have had no legal authority to ensure the recovery of the drug and many more people probably would have died.
“FDA Commissioner Walter Campbell, who was then pressing for better federal regulation of drugs, pointed out how the inadequacy of the law had contributed to the disaster. “It is unfortunate that under the terms of our present inadequate Federal law, the Food and Drug Administration is obliged to proceed against this product on a technical and trivial charge of misbranding. …[The Elixir Sulfanilamide incident] emphasizes how essential it is to public welfare that the distribution of highly potent drugs should be controlled by an adequate Federal Food and Drug law. … We should not lose sight of the fact that we had many deaths and cases of blindness resulting from the use of another new drug, dinitrophenol, which was recklessly placed upon the market some years ago. Deaths and blindness from this [drug] are continuing today. We also should remember the deaths resulting from damage to the liver that have occurred from cinchophen poisoning, a drug often recommended in such painful conditions as rheumatism. We also have unfortunate poisoning, acute and chronic, resulting from thyroid and radium preparations improperly administered to the public….” (Ballentine, Carol. “Taste of Raspberries, Taste of Death. The 1937 Elixir Sulfanilamide Incident.” FDA Consumer Magazine, June 1981.)
Newspapers
Oct 18: “Chicago, Ill., Oct. 18.–(U.P.)–The American Medical association announced today that eight out of 10 patients given a proprietary elixir of sulfanilamide manufactured in Tennessee have died at Tulsa, Okla., and that the manufacturer is attempting to recall 375 shipments of the medicine.
“The association’s laboratories began ‘careful chemical and physiologic tests’ to determine whether the deaths were due to an error in manufacture, decomposition of the sulfanilamide in the presence of another substance in the elixir or the effects of one of the other components of the elixir.
“Sulfanilamide has been the sensation of the medical world during recent moths because of a broadening field in which it appeared to be useful.” (United Press. “New Drug Kills Eight in Tulsa, A.M.A’s Warning.” Daily Hawk-Eye Gazette, Burlington, IA, 10-18-1937, p. 9.)
Oct 23: “Bristol, W. Va., Oct 23.–(AP)–Sr. S. E. Massengill, of the S. E. Massengill company, of Bristol, which has branches in other cities, tonight issued the following statement to what he termed the ‘unfortunate elixir sulfanilamide affair.’
My chemists and I deeply regret the fatal results, but there was no error in the manufacture of the product. We have been supplying legitimate professional demand and not once could have foreseen the unlooked for results. I do not feel that there was any responsibility on our part. The chemical sulfanilamide had been approved for use and had been used in large quantities in other forms, and now its many bad effects are developing.
Perhaps most of the unfair statements have been given out from two sources that are willing to capitalize on this tragic occurrence to further their certain ends…[62]
“Dr. Massengill…declined to name the ‘two sources’ to which he referred….” (Associated Press. “Maker is Very Sorry Poison is so Deadly.” Helena Daily Independent, 10-24-1937, p. 8.)
Nov 15: “Chicago (AP) — A month of intensive coordinated activity of medical me and federal agents showed today that every traceable quantity of elixir sulfanilamide, a drug preparation which took 73 lives, had been removed from the public’s reach.
“J. O. Clarke of the U.S. food and drug administration said that of the 200 gallons of the sweet, wine-colored mixture shipped by the manufacturer from GBristol, Tenn. And 40 gallons from Kansas City all had been traced down except a few ounces obtained by itinerants and others who could not be located.
“Participating in the speedy, nationwide search for the elixir containing diethylene glycol, wre 150 to 200 federal inspectors aided by resources of state health departments, physicians and medical groups. In some small towns, Clarke said agents actually stood on streets and asked passersby if they knew the persons named on prescription blanks.
“The elixir was started for the market early in September and the first death occurred later that month. Principal shipments went to the south and middle west and a number of two ounce sample bottles was taken by traveling salesmen.” (AP. “Sulfanilamide Removed From Public Reach.” The Daily Messenger, Canandaigua, NY, 11-15-1937, p. 1.)
Sources
Akst, Jef. “The Elixir Tragedy, 1937.” The Scientist, June 2013. Accessed 10-30-2017 at: http://www.the-scientist.com/?articles.view/articleNo/35714/title/The-Elixir-Tragedy–1937/
Associated Press. “53 Deaths Over Nation.” Northwest Arkansas Times, Fayetteville, 10-27-1937, p. 7. Accessed 10-31-2017 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/northwest-arkansas-times-oct-27-1937-p-7/
Associated Press. “Arkansas Death Apparently Due to Elixir Sulfanilamide.” Northwest Arkansas Times, Fayetteville, 10-27-1937, p. 7. Accessed 10-31-2017 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/northwest-arkansas-times-oct-27-1937-p-7/
Associated Press. “Dr. J. E. Byrd Dies, Medicine is Blamed.” Daily Herald, Biloxi, MS, 10-21-1937, p. 1. Accessed 10-30-2017 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/biloxi-daily-herald-oct-21-1937-p-1/
Associated Press. “Maker is Very Sorry Poison is so Deadly.” Helena Daily Independent, MT, 10-24-1937, p. 8. Accessed 10-31-2017 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/helena-independent-record-oct-24-1937-p-8/
Associated Press. “Nation in a Search for Liquid Medicine.” Lincoln State Journal, NE, 10-25-1937, p. 2. Accessed 10-31-2017 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/nebraska-state-journal-oct-25-1937-p-2/
Associated Press. “Only a ‘Little Grave’ Left, President Told.” Kingston Daily Freeman, NY, 11-27-1937, p. 1. Accessed 11-1-2017 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/kingston-daily-freeman-nov-27-1937-p-1/
Associated Press. “Poisonous Drug Causes Death at Memphis.” Daily Herald, Biloxi, MS, 10-21-1937, p. 1. Accessed 10-30-2017 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/biloxi-daily-herald-oct-21-1937-p-1/
Associated Press. “Six More Deaths Attributed to Elixir of Sulfanilamide.” Amarillo Globe, TX, 10-22-1937, p.14. Accessed 10-31-2017 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/amarillo-news-globe-oct-22-1937-p-14/
Associated Press. “Sulfanilamide Removed From Public Reach.” The Daily Messenger, Canandaigua, NY, 11-15-1937, p. 1. Accessed 11-1-2017 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/canandaigua-daily-messenger-nov-15-1937-p-1/
Ballentine, Carol. “Taste of Raspberries, Taste of Death. The 1937 Elixir Sulfanilamide Incident.” FDA Consumer Magazine, June 1981. Accessed 10-30-2017 at: https://www.fda.gov/aboutfda/whatwedo/history/productregulation/sulfanilamidedisaster/
Greenberg, Michael I. Disasters: Terrorist, Natural and Man-Made. Sudbury, MA: Jones and Bartlett Publishers, 2006.
Martin, Barbara J. “Elixir Sulfanilamide: Deaths of 1937.” Pathophilia. Accessed 10-31-2017 at: http://bmartinmd.com/elixir-sulfanilamide-deaths/
Pathophilia. “Elixir Sulfanilamide: Deaths in Alabama.” Webpage accessed 10-31-2017 at: http://bmartinmd.com/eos-deaths-alabama/
United Press. “Elixir Deaths Mount.” Berkeley Daily Gazette, CA. 10-23-1937, p. 1. Accessed 10-31-2017 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/berkeley-daily-gazette-oct-23-1937-p-1/
United Press. “Elixir of Sulfanilamide Deadly; Crystals Said O.K.” Star Journal, Sandusky, OH, 10-26-1937, p. 1. Accessed 10-31-2017 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/sandusky-star-journal-oct-26-1937-p-1/
United Press. “Five Deaths in Alabama.” Berkeley Daily Gazette, CA, 10-25-1937, p. 1. Accessed 10-31-2017 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/berkeley-daily-gazette-oct-25-1937-p-9/
United Press. “New Drug Kills Eight in Tulsa, A.M.A’s Warning.” Daily Hawk-Eye Gazette, Burlington, IA, 10-18-1937, p. 9. Accessed 10-31-2017 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/burlington-daily-hawk-eye-gazette-oct-18-1937-p-17/
Additional Reading
Martin, Barbara J. Elixir: The American Tragedy of a Deadly Drug. Barkerry Press, 2014.
Secretary of Agriculture. Elixir Sulfanilamide. Letter from the Secretary of Agriculture Transmitting, In Response to Senate Resolution No. 194, A Report on Elixir Sulfanilamide-Massengill [dated November 16, 1937}. Washington: U.S. Government Printing Office, 1937. Accessed 11-1-2017 at: https://archive.org/stream/CAT10509199#page/n1/mode/2up
[1] Pathophilia. “Elixir Sulfanilamide: Deaths in Alabama.” Victim identified as Rita Glendyne (or Glendine) Mallon. “The child, after consuming ‘three or four doses’ of elixir, was admitted to the hospital two days later with cyanosis and respiratory difficulty…the child died two days after admission.”
[2] Victim identified as (Berry) Edward Walker.
[3] Victim identified as Ethel (or Ether or Ester) Colston.
[4] Pathophilia. “Elixir Sulfanilamide: Deaths in Alabama.” Victim identified as Syble Gwendolyn Singleton.
[5] Victim identified as Mary Frances “Fannie” Zeanah.
[6] Victim identified as Alfred “Alf” McDade (or McDay), a plasterer.
[7] Pathophilia. “Elixir Sulfanilamide: Deaths in Alabama.” Victim identified as Nettie Joe (or Berry Jo) Story.
[8] Pathophilia. “Elixir Sulfanilamide: Deaths in Alabama.” Victim identified as Anderson Crews, 63, farmer.
[9] Pathophilia. “Elixir Sulfanilamide: Deaths in Alabama.” Victim identified as Martin (D.?) Smith.
[10] AP. “Arkansas Death…Due to Elixir Sulfanilamide.” Northwest Arkansas Times, Fayetteville, 10-27-1937, p. 7.
[11] Martin, Barbara. “Elixir Sulfanilamide: Deaths of 1937.” Pathophilia. Victim identified as Orvin Charles Kutz, Jr.
[12] Martin, Barbara J. “Elixir Sulfanilamide: Deaths of 1937.” Pathophilia.
[13] Martin, Barbara J. “Elixir Sulfanilamide: Deaths of 1937.” Pathophilia.
[14] Martin, Barbara J. “Elixir Sulfanilamide: Deaths of 1937.” Pathophilia. Identifies “possible” victim as J. C. Donalson. The ambiguity is result of disagreement on cause of death by two physicians involved. A Dr. Massey, who obtained the drug from another physician, Dr. Robert Fain Godard, and prescribed it for the boy, “believed that the drug killed his patient…” The Dr. who provided it to Dr. Massey, disagreed. As it turned out, this doctor “reported to Florida Inspector Taylor [FDA] that he had returned his elixir supply intact to the manufacturer” when in fact he had not.
[15] Concerning one of these possible deaths the FDA concluded that Elixir Sulfanilamide was “not responsible.”
[16] Since that FDA concluded that this drug was “not responsible” for one of the “possible deaths” we omit.
[17] Martin, B. J. “Elixir Sulfanilamide: Deaths of 1937.” Pathophilia. Identifies victim as Luther Norman Gillham.
[18] Martin, Barbara J. “Elixir Sulfanilamide: Deaths of 1937.” Pathophilia. Identifies victim as Will Leon Portwood.
[19] Martin, Barbara J. “Elixir Sulfanilamide: Deaths of 1937.” Pathophilia. Identifies victim as Jewell Fitts.
[20] Martin, Barbara J. “Elixir Sulfanilamide: Deaths of 1937.” Pathophilia. Identifies victim as Robert L. Parks.
[21] Martin, Barbara J. “Elixir Sulfanilamide: Deaths of 1937.” Pathophilia. Identifies victim as Robert Lee Fields.
[22] Martin, B. J. “Elixir Sulfanilamide: Deaths of 1937.” Pathophilia. Identifies victim as Betty Louis Satterfield.
[23] Martin, Barbara J. “Elixir Sulfanilamide: Deaths of 1937.” Pathophilia. Identifies victim as Leonard Jackson Dees
[24] Martin, Barbara J. “Elixir Sulfanilamide: Deaths of 1937.” Pathophilia. Identifies victim as Arnette (or Anett Lewis. Notes as “Possible” elixir death though she died within 48 hours of taking the drug..
[25] Martin, Barbara J. “Elixir Sulfanilamide: Deaths of 1937.” Pathophilia. Identifies victim as Herman Bolton.
[26] Martin, Barbara J. “Elixir Sulfanilamide: Deaths of 1937.” Pathophilia. Identifies victim as Seth L. Durden.
[27] Martin, Barbara J. “Elixir Sulfanilamide: Deaths of 1937.” Pathophilia. Identifies victim as Lillie Lyons.
[28] Martin, Barbara J. “Elixir Sulfanilamide: Deaths of 1937.” Pathophilia. Identifies victim as Ewell Daughtrey.
[29] Martin, Barbara J. “Elixir Sulfanilamide: Deaths of 1937.” Pathophilia. Identifies victim as Bessie Lee Bosley. There is no question that the victim was prescribed a four-ounce prescription. The death certificate, however, did not note the Elixir as the cause of death, but “implied that Bosley underwent some type of surgical procedure during her hospitalization…”
[30] Martin, Barbara J. “Elixir Sulfanilamide: Deaths of 1937.” Pathophilia. Identifies victim as J. D. Kimbrough.
[31] Martin, B. J. “Elixir Sulfanilamide: Deaths of 1937.” Pathophilia.
[32] Martin, Barbara J. “Elixir Sulfanilamide: Deaths of 1937.” Pathophilia. Identifies victim as Joseph L. Henry.
[33] Martin, Barbara J. “Elixir Sulfanilamide: Deaths of 1937.” Pathophilia. Identifies victim as Alexander A. Brooks.
[34] Martin, Barbara J. “Elixir Sulfanilamide: Deaths of 1937.” Pathophilia. Identifies victim as Gertrude Lee Black.
[35] Martin, Barbara J. “Elixir Sulfanilamide: Deaths of 1937.” Pathophilia.
[36] Martin, Barbara J. “Elixir Sulfanilamide: Deaths of 1937.” Pathophilia.
[37] Conflicting accounts as to gender of the victim.
[38] In that Martin shows three deaths we speculate that, if accurate, this figure included greater Laurel area.
[39] Martin, Barbara J. “Elixir Sulfanilamide: Deaths of 1937.” Pathophilia.
[40] Assoc. Press. “Six More Deaths Attributed to Elixir of Sulfanilamide.” Amarillo Globe, TX, 10-22-1937, p.14.
[41] Martin, Barbara J. “Elixir Sulfanilamide: Deaths of 1937.” Pathophilia.
[42] Martin, Barbara J. “Elixir Sulfanilamide: Deaths of 1937.” Pathophilia. Identifies victim as George W. Nixon.
[43] Martin, Barbara J. “Elixir Sulfanilamide: Deaths of 1937.” Pathophilia. Identifies victim as William L. Schroeder.
[44] Martin, Barbara J. “Elixir Sulfanilamide: Deaths of 1937.” Pathophilia. The boy was definitely prescribed Elixir of Sulfanilamide for “streptococcus infection of the throat.” FDA concluded that it seemed probable that the drug contributed to the boy’s death.
[45] “The death of Jo Anne Cramer, 6, of Copley, from elixir of sulfanilamide nine days ago in an Akron hospital was revealed today. The child was suffering from scarlatina [scarlet fever] and the red elixir was prescribed by a physician because the girl dislikes sulfanilamide pills.” Also noted by Martin.
[46] Associated Press. “Only a ‘Little Grave’ Left, President Told.” Kingston Daily Freeman, NY, 11-27-1937, p. 1.
[47] Martin, Barbara J. “Elixir Sulfanilamide: Deaths of 1937.” Pathophilia.
[48] Martin, Barbara J. “Elixir Sulfanilamide: Deaths of 1937.” Pathophilia.
[49] Martin, Barbara J. “Elixir Sulfanilamide: Deaths of 1937.” Pathophilia.
[50] AP. “Dr. J. E. Byrd Dies, Medicine is Blamed.” Daily Herald, Biloxi, MS, 10-21-1937, p. 1; Barbara J. Martin.
[51] Associated Press. “Poisonous Drug Causes Death at Memphis.” Daily Herald, Biloxi, MS, 10-21-1937, p. 1.
[52] Martin, Barbara J. “Elixir Sulfanilamide: Deaths of 1937.” Pathophilia.
[53] Seven confirmed, two “possible.”
[54] Martin, Barbara J. “Elixir Sulfanilamide: Deaths of 1937.” Pathophilia.
[55] Martin, Barbara J. “Elixir Sulfanilamide: Deaths of 1937.” Pathophilia.
[56] Martin, Barbara J. “Elixir Sulfanilamide: Deaths of 1937.” Pathophilia. Victim’s younger sister also took 4 oz dose and did not die. Recorded causes of death were Vincent’s angina (trench mouth) and a blood stream infection.
[57] Martin. “Elixir Sulfanilamide: Deaths of 1937.” Pathophilia. Notes she was being treated for an “infected throat.”
[58] Highlighted in yellow to denote we do not include. We suspect this is a reference to Levi Kelly death. The doctor who provided the prescription to the nearby Highbank man, practiced out of Marlin. (Barbara J. Martin)
[59] Martin, Barbara J. “Elixir Sulfanilamide: Deaths of 1937.” Pathophilia; Associated Press. “53 Deaths Over Nation.” Northwest Arkansas Times, Fayetteville, 10-27-1937, p. 7.
[60] Martin, Barbara J. “Elixir Sulfanilamide: Deaths of 1937.” Pathophilia.
[61] Martin, Barbara J. “Elixir Sulfanilamide: Deaths of 1937.” Pathophilia. Martin cites an FDA notation that the death was “probably from Elixir Sulph” which had been prescribed by a local physician.
[62] Probably a reference to the American Medical Association and the U.S. Food & Drug Administration.