Information on Medical Frauds by L. A. H.

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Tacoma Park Station, Washington, D.C. · Jun 18, 1914

Information on Medical Frauds

By L. A. H.

A GREAT deal of money is being spent annually for things advertised to cure various diseases, the real merits of which may be justly questioned. For some time careful inquiry has been made as to the value of many devices, schemes, and preparations, widely advertised as cures for specific diseases. The results of these investigations make interesting reading.

We believe there are among our own people those who may be interested to know the facts concerning some of the things so widely exploited, and in the claims of which they may have confidence enough to invest much-needed money. We call attention to literature that gives information besides that which appears in the advertisement.

The American Medical Association, 535 North Dearborn St., Chicago, Ill., issues a number of pamphlets. The following is a partial list, with prices, post-paid. All are illustrated:—

“Alcola,” a “cure” for alcoholism, sold by the Physicians’ Cooperative Association; 4 cents.

“American College of Mechano-Therapy,” a Chicago concern which professes to teach various curative manipulations; 8 pages; 4 cents.

“Cancer Fakes,” a 48-page pamphlet containing exposés of several so-called cancer cures; 6 cents.

“Carnegie University,” which grants degrees in drugless healing for a cash consideration; 11 pages; 4 cents.

“Consumption Cure Fakes,” dealing with the principal so-called remedies; 138 pages; 10 cents.

“Deafness Cure Fakes,” 50 pages; 10 cents.

“Duffy’s Malt Whisky,” an advertised “consumption cure,” “heart tonic,” and nerve builder; 18 pages; 4 cents.

“Medical Institutes,” dealing with the Wisconsin Medical Institute, the Epileptic Institute, and the Boston and Bellevue Institute, describing methods of enticing and defrauding the unwary; 52 pages; 6 cents.

“Men’s Specialist Frauds,” a reprint of the Chicago Tribune’s exposé of a large number of concerns that carry forward a very wicked form of quackery; 142 pages; 10 cents.

“Mineral Waters,” giving facts about some of the so-called mineral waters for which fraudulent and misleading claims have been made; 12 pages; 4 cents.

“Obesity Cure Frauds,” exposing a number of “cures;” 26 pages; 10 cents.

“The Oxydonor and Similar Fakes,” a description of various pieces of nickel-plated brass pipe that are sold under the claim that they possess curative value, dealing with the Electropoise, the Oxydonor, the Oxygenor, the Oxypathor, the Oxytonor, and the Oxybon; 15 pages; 4 cents.

“Quacks—Itinerant and Otherwise,” and inquiry into the personnel of the “United Doctors,” the “Known Doctors,” and similar frauds, and a description of the methods of these widely advertised “specialists;” an interesting exposé of organized quackery; 27 pages; 4 cents.

“Sanatogen,” giving much information concerning a preparation widely advertised in popular magazines as possessing wonderful properties; 31 pages; 4 cents.

“Viavi” and other cures, a pamphlet of 53 pages, dealing with fifteen mail-order concerns and seven nostrums appealing to women; 6 cents.

We give this notice, believing that it will prove a valuable service to some of our people who might otherwise be led to spend money for that which would give no benefit, bringing disappointment, and perhaps increased suffering.

L. A. H.