Quacks, false remedies and the public health / [David Walsh].

  • Walsh, David
Date:
1909
Catalogue details

Licence: Public Domain Mark

Credit: Quacks, false remedies and the public health / [David Walsh]. Source: Wellcome Collection.

    49/68 (page 45)
    men are advised to reject on the score of the insertion of objectionable advertisements; or, alternatively, pethaps the wiser plan would be to point out the. journals free from reproach in that particular direction. CORONER’S INQUEST. The coroners admittedly exercise a good deal of influence in the control of quacks and quackery. By means of a direct object-lesson they are often able to assist in opening the eyes of the public as to the evils of the system. Indirectly they might greatly help in the suppression of quackery were they to hold more frequent inquests in cases of uncertificated deaths, and to maintain, if they have the necessary legal Lowers, a watchful eye upon the signatures to death certificates accepted by local registrars. Coroners may do good in various ways, as shown in the following case, which illustrates the use of a quack medicine for epilepsy. The inquiry was held by Mr. Braxton Hicks, upon the body of a journeyman baker, a sufferer from epilepsy, who spent 11s. weekly on patent medicine. This costly stuff was shown by medical evidence to consist of chloroform water, coloured by burnt sugar, and a few grains— an absolutely useless dose for epilepsy—of potassium bromide. The jury appended to their verdict of “Death from natural causes ” a rider to the effect: “That they considered that the attention of the proper authorities should be called to the gross fraud per- petrated upon the public by the sale of these mixtures at exorbitant prices.’’ The first obvious reflection on reading this rider is to ask, “Who are the proper authorities? Do any such authorities exist? Whose duty is it to take action on the indignant protests that come from the coroners and the criminal courts? THE REGISTRAR-GENERAL. The Registrar-General can make it much more difficult for irregular medical practitioners to carry on their work if he insists upon a stringent rejection by local registrars of all signatures to death certificates other than by duly qualified medical men. In view of the varying practice and laxity that is from time to time revealed in newspaper reports, some official inquiry and strengthening legislation are desirable in the interests of the community. Tue Poisons’ ACT. The extension of the poisons schedule in the sale of drugs sold either alone or in combination for the treatment or cure of disease, would help towards the security of the public. There are many potent and