The Great American Fraud: The Patent Medicine EvilAdams, Samuel Hopkins
Science
The Great American Fraud: The Patent Medicine Evil
Adams, Samuel Hopkins
Patent medicines; Quacks and quackery
If this class of nostrum is so harmful, asks the attentive reader of
newspaper advertising columns, how explain the indorsements of so many
people of prominence and reputation? "Men of prominence and reputation"
in this connection means Peruna, for Peruna has made a specialty of high
government officials and people in the public eye. In a self-gratulatory
dissertation the Peruna Company observes in substance that, while the
leading minds of the nation have hitherto shrunk from the publicity
attendant on commending any patent medicine, the transcendent virtues of
Peruna have overcome this amiable modesty, and, one and all, they stand
forth its avowed champions. This is followed by an ingenious document
headed {022}"Fifty Members of Congress Send Letters of Indorsement
to the Inventor of the Great Catarrh Remedy, Pe-ru-na," and quoting
thirty-six of the letters. Analysis of these letters brings out the
singular circumstance that in twenty-one of the thirty-six there is no
indication that the writer has ever tasted the remedy which he so
warmly praises. As a sample, and for the benefit of lovers of ingenious
literature, I reprint the following from a humorous member of Congress:
"My secretary has as bad a case of catarrh as I ever saw, and since he
has taken one bottle of Peruna he seems like a different man.
"Taylorsville, N. C. Romulus Z. Linney."
The famous letter of Admiral Schley is a case in point. He wrote to the
Peruna Company:
"I can cheerfully say that Mrs. Schley has used Peruna, and, I believe,
with good effect. [Signed] W. S. Schley."
This indorsement went the rounds of the country in half-page blazonry,
to the consternation of the family's friends. Admiral Schley seems
to have appreciated that this use of his name was detrimental to his
standing. He wrote to a Columbus religious journal the following letter:
"1820 I Street, Washington, D. C., Nov. 10,1904. "_Editor Catholic
Columbian_:--The advertisement of the Peruna Company, inclosed, is made
without any authority or approval from me. When it was brought to
my attention first I wrote the company a letter, stating that
the advertisement was offensive and must be discontinued. Their
representative here called on me and stated he had been directed to
assure me no further publication would be allowed, as it was without my
sanction.
"I would say that the advertisement has been made without my knowledge
or consent and is an infringement of my rights as a citizen.
"If you will kindly inform me what the name and date of the paper was in
which the inclosed advertisement appeared I shall feel obliged.
"Very truly yours, W. S. Schley."
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
Reviews
Reviews
No reviews yet
Be the first to share your thoughts on this work.
Join the Discussion
Join the discussion
Sign in to leave a comment or review.
Sign InorCreate an account