The Menace, an Exposition of Quackery Nostrum Exploitation and Reminiscences of a Country Doctor Page: 42
128 p. : ill., ports. ; 24 cm.View a full description of this book.
Extracted Text
The following text was automatically extracted from the image on this page using optical character recognition software:
The Menace
CANCER CURES.
Every advertisement of a "cancer cure" is an advertised
swindle. If the public could once realize the truth in this
statement, the quacks who engage in this line of charlantry
would quickly find their occupation gone. The various ad-
vertised "cures" for cancer may be divided into two classes:
first, those that consist of mildly tonic drugs to be taken
internally in conjunction with weak antiseptic washes to be
applied externally; second, those in which a "paste" or
"poultice" containing some strong caustic is applied to the
ulcerating surface. The "cures" belonging to the first class
are absolutely worthless, and, while not in themselves dan-
gerous, are vicious in that the patient is likely to rely on a
valueless remedy until the cancer has reached a point where
no treatment will avail. The caustic pastes on the other-
hand, are sometimes used by reputable physicians in care-
fully selected cases of superficial (skin) cancer. Even in
such cases and under the daily supervision of a physician
the escharotic (caustic) treatment is uncertain and unre-
liable. When the patient is "treated" through the mail by
means of these burning pastes, which he has to apply him-
self, the treatment is not only unreliable and painful but
positively dangerous. The possibility of the caustic eroding
a blood-vessel is by no means a remote one. All "cancer
cures" have a liberal supply of "testimonials" with which to
catch the unwary. Many of these testimonials are fraudu-
lent, while others are written by individuals who have mere-
ly convinced themselves that they have cancer, and who, on
receiving some real or imaginary benefit from the nostrum,
write that they have been "cured." Testimonials are the
least expensive and easy to obtain. During the past few
years the United States postal authorities have done the
public a great service by declaring fraudulent, and denying
the use of the mails, to a great number of "cancer cure"
concerns. Such as the Bye cancer cure, the W. O. Bye
cancer cure. Fortunately for the public the government has
put a quietus on the cancer curing proclivities of the Bye
family. This great "cancer cure" fake concern of Kansas42
Upcoming Pages
Here’s what’s next.
Search Inside
This book can be searched. Note: Results may vary based on the legibility of text within the document.
Tools / Downloads
Get a copy of this page or view the extracted text.
Citing and Sharing
Basic information for referencing this web page. We also provide extended guidance on usage rights, references, copying or embedding.
Reference the current page of this Book.
Dixon, Chas. D. (Charles D.). The Menace, an Exposition of Quackery Nostrum Exploitation and Reminiscences of a Country Doctor, book, 1914; San Antonio, Texas. (https://texashistory.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metapth143569/m1/54/: accessed May 1, 2024), University of North Texas Libraries, The Portal to Texas History, https://texashistory.unt.edu; crediting University of Texas Health Science Center Libraries.