An application to the address given brought a typed letter apparently produced on a multiple copy machine, from “Paciderma. Manageress, Mrs. E. Avice,” from which the following extracts are taken:
“Paciderma” ... consists of three preparations (in one package), one for internal use and two for external use. Both internal and external Remedies are absolutely necessary to eradicate the disease.... The price is most moderate, namely 6s. and postage 3d. for the package containing the three preparations for thirty days’ full treatment. In conclusion I would point out to you that these Remedies have met with a world-wide success, even in the worst forms of these terrible complaints, and are in fact so wonderfully successful that they are
GUARANTEED EFFICACIOUS IN EVERY CASE
no matter what has previously been tried and failed.... Be sure to fill up the Order Form which I am enclosing you as carefully and accurately as you can so that I may be able to give your case my fullest attention and consideration.
This letter was accompanied by a booklet entitled “Eczema and how to Cure it,” and by an order form with spaces for name, address, date, and the following further particulars:
Age; sex; occupation; how long been suffering? where the complaint is located; are the spots or wounds dry? is there any sticky discharge? are your bowels constipated? do you suffer from piles? do you suffer from indigestion? do you suffer from rheumatism or gout? Do you suffer from any other complaint?
This form, filled up with the details of an imaginary case, was sent with a postal order for the requisite amount. A case of “Paciderma” preparations was at once received, and needless to say there was no evidence of their having been modified in any way in consequence of the “fullest attention and consideration” given to the particulars supplied. The preparations were accompanied by a further letter, typed like the first, from which the following is extracted:
One case of the remedies is generally sufficient to effect a cure, and I trust that it may be so in your case, but if the disease has been in the system for years it has got a firm hold, and naturally takes longer to eradicate; therefore, if this case of remedies should not cure you, you must lose no time in writing for a further supply so that no time may be lost between. You must avoid anything likely to irritate the skin, and be especially careful as to the soap you use, as many soaps are most injurious, being quite sufficient in themselves to cause an eruption. I should recommend you to use “Paciderma Skin Soap” to wash yourself with, as it is absolutely pure, and will keep your skin smooth and healthy.
After an interval a further letter was received, which ran as follows:
Dear Sir,—I have been expecting to hear from you as to how the treatment I sent you some time ago has affected you. I sincerely trust that you have derived benefit from it. As I think I told you before, some cases are naturally much more difficult to cure than others, and take longer time, as in most cases the disease has been for years getting a firm hold on the system, and cannot, therefore, be eradicated in a few days.