"Terumeru," A Patent Medicine of the Late Edo Era-The Packaging, Efficacy Statement, and Dosage Form.

"Terumeru" was a patent medicine that an apothecary in Osaka sold as an expectorant and medicine for internal diseases towards the end of the Edo era. Due to its manufacturer, Gengendo, closing its expectorant business in the early Meiji era, further details are unknown. The author investigated Terumeru products dating back approximately 200 years. The objective of this study is to clarify what kind of patent medicine Terumeru was, and furthermore, compare it to other medicines with names spelled using katakana that were distributed around the same time as a topic of discussion. The characteristics of Terumeru were as follows : the dosage form was three times as much as that prescribed for similar drugs ; and although it was said to be of Dutch origin, the name of a Chinese clinician, Zhu Zhenheng, was cited on its efficacy statement and advertising. These findings revealed that there were problems with its formulation and inconsistency in its brand image. These reasons led to the conclusion that Terumeru was considered a katakana-named patent medicine during the pioneering days of pharmacology Japan.

["Holtos," a Patented Medicine of the Late Edo Era--Wrapping Style, Statement of Medicine Efficacy, and Tablet Form].

Holtos is a medicine that was patented by Kan-sei-do, a pharmacy in Osaka, and sold as a Western medicine from the late Edo era to the Meiji era. It is similar to the patented medicine Uluus, which sold well using the katakana brand name. This article introduces HOLTOS products marketed beginning in the late Edo era and makes a comparative study with Uluus products. The features of Holtos include more indications of what the drug can be used to treat in order to emphasize its versatility. There was also a slight increase in size of the tablet sold at the same price as Uluus, and other improvements such as embossing the name "Holtos" on the surface of the tablet. These reasons lead to the conclusion that Holtos was a patented medicine that imitated Uluus. Furthermore, it has been confirmed that strategic measures were taken by Holtos to outlast competition in the market.