AGREES TO REFUND
The entire amount paid immediately upon required statement that benefit has not been received.
The Dr. Van Vleck Co.
It will be observed that this purported to be a guarantee to cure, and would be read by most as a promise to refund the amount paid if the treatment did not cure; whereas it was only a promise to refund if a “required” statement were made that benefit (that is, any benefit) had not been received, a statement most uncured persons might hesitate to make.
On application for the 4s. 6d. treatment, 5 suppositories, 10 pills, and about 65 grains of “plasma” in a collapsible tube were sent, with a long circular letter of the usual type, offering the:
Large special treatment, including our new Rectal Applicator, made from pure Stannum,[2] for 21s., or for 16s. 6d. in addition to the 4s. 6d. to be sent for what was supplied.
[2] Stannum: tin. Latin Dictionary.
The labels of the preparations were stamped “made in U.S.A.”
Letters subsequently received urging continued use of the treatment and pressing for particulars of the case, were much like those from other nostrum dealers which have been printed in earlier chapters, and included such statements as:
We have made a special study of your case, and we are convinced that if this, our final offer to you, is accepted, a permanent cure will be assured.