Nostrums and quackery : articles on the nostrum evil and quackery reprinted from the Journal of the American Medical Association.

Date:
[1911]
Catalogue details

Licence: In copyright

Credit: Nostrums and quackery : articles on the nostrum evil and quackery reprinted from the Journal of the American Medical Association. Source: Wellcome Collection.

    185/522 (page 181)
    able cure-alls on the market in n'liich discarded, unrecognized or useless drugs are pressed into service and invested with miraculous virtues. What shall he said of men who prey on pregnant women? ^WlO create in the mind of the expectant mother the fear of untold agonies and then offer immunity to these suppositious tortures at the price of their worthless nostrums? Who, with the help of such publications as will accept their lying advertisements, do more to encourage abor- tion than even the professional abortionists themselves. There seems to be but one remedy: Speed the time when in their acceptance of advertising those publishers who fail to recog- nize decency as a moral obligation may be forced by public o])inion to recognize its value as a business proposition. (From The Journal A. M. A., Feh. 27, 1909.) THE “VIAVI” TREATMENT Some twenty years ago, more or less, two young men, with a very small capital, but with highly developed commercial ability, and an “idea,” began business operations for the devel- opment of the “idea” in San Francisco. It was soon evident that the “idea” was no less valuable than the methods of development folloAved hy the clever promoters. Time passed, the business grew and expanded beyond the limits of the city or the state or the country. But the smooth surface of the municipality was not disturbed; these two quiet gentlemen did not advertise themselves or their business methods by forcing either on public attention. THE PROMOTERS They soon began to acquire real estate in the vicinity of Van Kess Avenue, at first for their business requirements, and later for the investment of their profits. Presently their activities expanded; they moved into the down-town real estate field and exhibited a shrewness and a judgment in the selection and exploitation of development enterprises that very soon attracted the attention of the business men of the community. The Crossley and the Bialto Buildings were of their holdings, and Avere later traded for the Fairmont property; it is said, very advantageously. One of these brothers—for the men are brothers—undertook, Ave are told, on his OAvn account the erection of the IMonadnock Building on Market Street, AAdiich, it Avill be recalled, AA^as one of the buildings practically undam- aged by the earthquake and but little by fire. Ihe land is said to have cost $l,00(y,000, and certainly the building must have increased the investment very considerably. It Avas one of the first buildings to be put in habitable shape immediately after the fire, and the financing of the enterprise is regarded by some b.usiness men as one of the cleverest pieces of finan- ciering knoAvn in the city.