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

Date:: [1911]

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

188/522 (page 184)

$expensive article like niorpliin, and one liable to bring about trouble in the future, into their ‘h’einedies” when they do not need to. We need no further enlightenment and accept the statement that the preparations are free from morphin, etc. ^‘Were the Viavi remedies used for the prevention of con- ception or the procuring of abortionf” This query was even more horrible to the promoters than was the former question. The very thought that such objects or purposes could be attributed- to them was most painfully distressing to the Messrs. Law, and they felt keenly injured in their self-respect. They assured us in every way, by the spoken and the written word, that, so far from their having ever advocated the repulsive measures suggested, their greatest joy in life is to feel that, through the benevolent action of their remedies, they have aided thousands to become fruitful and have made the barren women conceive and bring forth. But we have heard that their agents did sometimes recom- mend that \ iavi was a means of preventing or aborting con- ception. Could it be so? Well, while they preached against it in every possible manner, irresponsible agents would occa- sionally overstep their instructions and suggest the frightful misuse of the Viavi. But the company repudiated all such and, in a letter, offer to aid in the prosecution of any repre- sentative suggesting Viavi for this vile purpose, or offering to sell anything with Viavi for the same criminal object. Pos- sibly the agents or representatives who so far transgress their instructions as to suggest the criminal use of what the makers hold to be one of the most valuable blessings ever bestowed on a suffering people, have read and appreciated the import of the following statement (page 178 of a book entitled “Viavi Hygiene,” edition of 1906), and another, quoted later: “ * * * but no attempt should be made to force or introduce the capsule into the mouth of the womb, as placing- any substance within the cavity of the uterus is directly against the laws of nature, a fact shown by the contractions and labor-like expulsive pains that are induced by the introduction of any foreign substance within the uterine cavity.” WHAT IS IT? We may safely assume that the Viavi “treatment” is free fioni opium, morphin, etc., and that the promoters do not encourage the practice of preventing or aborting conception. 8ucli being the case, the question very naturally presents itself: “What is the Viavi treatment; wliat does it do and wliat do the promoters say of it; how do they present their claims and what do they claim?” The original “treatment” was directed wholly to the afflic- tions of women, if Ave are not mistaken, and consisted of good advice, cleanliness, the douche and a capsule Avhich Avas to be placed in the vagina, preferably high up and touching the cerAux. Later, a cerate Avas made, the argument ])eing tliat the vagina could not absorb enough of the Avonderfully curative$