The prescription of proprietary medicines for the sick : its demoralizing effects on the medical profession.

  • Lindsley, Charles A. (Charles Augustus), 1826-1906.
Date:
[1882?]
Catalogue details

Licence: Public Domain Mark

Credit: The prescription of proprietary medicines for the sick : its demoralizing effects on the medical profession. Source: Wellcome Collection.

Provider: This material has been provided by the National Library of Medicine (U.S.), through the Medical Heritage Library. The original may be consulted at the National Library of Medicine (U.S.)

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    it on the evidence of these manufacturers themselves. We ought to receive that with confi- dence. They know more about the tricks of their own trade lhan we do, and they have a motive for telling the truth about each other. Almost every one of them in their advertise- ments intimates pretty broadly that the other manufacturers of the same product are not so trustworthy as themselves, that their own preparations are the only reliable ones in the market. Our own State Medical Society has for more than a quarter of a century had this by- law on its books, to wit: That the several County Associations are hereby instructed to continue their investi- gations in relation to the manufacture, sale, recommendation, and use of nostrums or patent medicines by their members, and to present for trial any member so offending. The whole spirit of these laws is in the interest of public safety. It has been held as an undisputed law of right among all high-minded, honorable men in our profession from time immemorial, that no man can rightly hold for his personal advantage a secret remedy which will alleviate human suffering or save human life. And the same principle is equally maintained in denying to any one the right to the exclusive possession and contrjl of a valuable medicine, whether it be secret or not, in such way as to debar his fellow crea- tures fiom the benefits of it. The term used in the above by-laws are secret medicines, nostrums, and patent medicines. It is a popular belief that patent medicines are secret, whereas the exact opposite is true—the very word patent signifies that it is not secret, lrom patco, to open, expand, expose. There are very few medicines patented, for that reason, and because they are not patentable, as they cannot be proved to be new and useful inventions. * * * What becomes of the scientific character of medical practice, if our guides in therapeu- tics are derived from such sources ? What could more shock the common sense of any intelligent community, and destroy their confidence in the practice of the regular profession, lhan the knowledge of such a fact as this ? The manufacturers of tiade-mark nostrums have watched and encouraged and fostered this growth of credulity in the profession and have a much truer estimate of it than we have ourselves. It has grown and strengthened under their careful cultivation, until now they no longer hesitate to practice upon the members of the medical profession precisely the same artful methods which their more shameful brothers in quackery have practiced upon the com- mon people. Just as Brandreth's Pills, Townsend's Sarsaparilla, Hemboldt's Buchu, Kennedy's Discovery, and a host of other quack medicines have been forced upon the public by the liberal use of printer's ink spread upon tons of gaudy-colored paper, thrust in their faces at every tuin, pushed into their doots. and plastered upon their walks—exactly after the same methods the mails are loaded with the pamphlets and circulars and cards, in colors not one whit less gaudy, from the manufacturers of these protected remedies. They are addressed to the profession—carefully directed to the profession—the profession evident- ly has appreciated the flattering compliment contained in this appeal to its judgment, reiter- ated over and over again that these communications are intended only for the medical profession, not for the 'OntoWoi—the vulgar public. Our medical journals, too, are stuffed with a rehash of the same in the form of adver- tisements. The certificates of their virtues are in no respect less extravagant and boastful than those concerning Kennedy's Discovery, or Sherman's Lozenges, only a little, if any, more judicious and discriminating. The following is clipped from a medical journal: Petroleum Compound is a perfect emulsion of Petroleum Syrup and pure Cod-Liver oil combined with the Hypophosphites of Lime and Soda, is palatable and agreeable, and forms the most valuable and sure remedy for the certain cure of Consumption, Asthma, Bronchitis, Hay Fever, and all Chronic Lung Diseases. Petroleum Syrup is absolutely a specific and a certain cure for Coughs, Colds, Croup, Sore Throat, Diphtheria, and all Bronchial Affections. We have hundreds of testimonials from living persons, who have taken these reme- dies and now enjoy sound health. Circulars mailed free. The name and address of persons who have taken and used these remedies will be cheerfully given. This is the sort of stuff these manufacturers have the effrontery to address to the medical profession, and the eaitor and proprietor of a medical journal prints it, and asks his readers to consider his periodical devoted to medical science ! Here is another instance, scarcely less quackish than the above, and publicly endorsed