Probably emboldened by the ease with which a component part of the American Medical Association “fell for” a paper exploiting a “goiter cure,” Dr. Watkins requested that she be permitted to read a paper on the same subject before the Section on Pharmacology and Therapeutics at the Detroit meeting of the American Medical Association last June. The request was refused. Dr. Watkins is apparently no longer connected with White and in fact has protested against the use of her name by White in connection with his “goiter cure.”
[After the above was in type and ready for the pages of The Journal, attention was called to the Official Bulletin of the Chicago Medical Society of Sept. 16, 1916. This Bulletin contained a full page advertisement of the Mark White “goiter cure.” The advertiser referred to the preparation as having been “announced to the Chicago Medical Society” and declared it to be “an ethical therapeutic agent.” Mark White was described as “a medical research student” but no hint was given that he is a veterinarian. After again emphasizing that “this therapy is ethically proven” physicians were invited to “visit our goats when convenient” and the advertisement closed with the modest claim that “this thyroid therapy has equal curative therapeutic value in these cases as quinin in malaria.” And this sort of pseudo-scientific claptrap is presented to a presumably learned profession through its own official Bulletin—but what’s the use of commenting!]—(From The Journal A. M. A., Sept. 23, 1916.)
KORA-KONIA
Report of the Council on Pharmacy and Chemistry
Kora-Konia is a “dusting powder” which at present is advertised to the medical profession through medical journals, circulars, post cards and sample packages. It is put out by the “House of Mennen,” which sells various toilet preparations such as talcum powder, shaving soap, etc. On the trade package is the statement:
“Indicated in the treatment of Acne, Dermatitis, Eczema Intertrigo; in obstinate cases of chafing, prickly heat, nettle rash, chicken pox, measles, scarlatina and irritations of the skin; as a soothing absorbent and antiseptic dusting powder and as an umbilical dressing.”
While a circular asserts that:
“Kora-konia is indicated in the treatment of acne, dermatitis, eczema and eczematous conditions of the utmost severity,... eruptive fevers,...”
What purports to be a physician’s testimonial reads: