Secret remedies : $b What they cost and what they containBritish Medical Association
Science
Secret remedies : $b What they cost and what they contain
British Medical Association
Patent medicines
A postscript to the letter stated that “No charge whatever is made for
advice, so you need not hesitate to avail yourself of the benefit of my
_opinion_,” but no information was vouchsafed as to the price charged
for the “treatment,” except that it would be found extremely moderate.
Paragraphs, of the usual inspired kind, were quoted from the _Family
Doctor_, _Christian Union_, _Family Churchman_, _Health_, and local
newspapers of varying degrees of obscurity.
The letter and pamphlet were followed after an interval by another
letter, as follows:
Dear Friend,
Referring to your application for my Pamphlet some
time back, I shall be glad to know whether you wish me
to proceed further in the matter. As I have received
no letter from you, I presume that you imagine the
cost of treatment will be too high. I will, therefore,
make you a Special Offer, that is, for the sum of 10s.
(which may be paid in two monthly instalments of 5s.
each, if more convenient) I will forward you the full
Treatment and Directions. Should you avail yourself of
this offer, kindly detach the form at the bottom of
this letter and return to me. The Treatment is, without
doubt, the most effectual ever placed before the
Public, as will be found by the numerous testimonials
received.
I am daily in receipt of letters similar to those
enclosed herewith, and I feel confident that, should
you give the treatment a trial, you will also be able
to report quite as good results.
Kindly let me know your decision as soon as possible.
If you will take my advice you will not further delay.
May I draw your attention to the letters on the other
side?
I am, yours faithfully,
HERBERT CLIFTON.
The “treatment form” was filled up and sent in with 10s., and, as was
to be expected, “my candid opinion as to whether my system of treatment
is calculated to efficiently meet the requirement,” was apparently in
favour of treating the case, as a pair of “drum-supports” and a bottle
of fluid were received, together with a letter asking the recipient to
follow out the directions given very carefully and not be disheartened
“because you find no improvement immediately, you must give the Cure a
fair trial. I shall be glad,” the letter concluded, “to hear from you
in about three weeks’ time with a general report on your case.”
The “drum-supports” consisted of half-inch lengths of narrow
india-rubber tubing, as used for the valves of bicycle tyres, with an
inner tube of “gum-elastic,” the india-rubber being expanded at one
end into a funnel ¼ in. long, and attached at the other to a small
oval disc of sheet india-rubber. The prime cost of the pair would
probably not exceed 3d. The bottle was labelled “No. 1. Price 3s.,” and
contained 1 fluid ounce of liquid; analysis showed this to have the
following composition:
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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