One of Dr. Abrams’ disciples—Sir James Barr—frequently quoted with evident satisfaction, declares that from a fresh sample of blood spread over four square inches of white blotting paper, “Dr. Abrams can diagnose the sex, race and disease of the patient.” However, there are certain precautions that must be taken: The patient should face West, “the blood should be taken in a subdued light and there should be no strong red or yellow coloring material in the room.”
In various places Dr. Abrams has asseverated that “if splancho-diagnosis is approached with a prejudiced mind, it is better not to attempt it, for there are ‘none so blind as those that will not see.’ ”
Dr. Abrams founded and edits Physico-Clinical Medicine. It is published by “Physico-Clinical Co.” at 2135 Sacramento St., San Francisco—the address, according to the telephone directory, of Dr. Abrams’ residence. It is a quarterly “Devoted to the Study of the Electronic Reactions of Abrams and the Visceral reflexes of Abrams, in the Diagnosis, Treatment and Pathology of Disease.” Single copies, one dollar; by the year, two dollars. The publication is, apparently, not entered as second class matter, in fact, presumably, it could not be, as it seems obviously to be an advertising affair. Each issue contains material dealing with “Spondylotherapy,” “Splanchno-Diagnosis,” “Electronic Reactions” and other discoveries and theories of Dr. Abrams. In it also is published a list of “Some recent visitors at Dr. Abrams’ laboratory,” the names and addresses of the “Lessees of Oscilloclast” (about which more later), testimonials for Dr. Abrams, etc.
Of course, it carries advertisements of Dr. Abrams’ “Physico-Clinical Laboratory” (also at 2135 Sacramento St.) and his “Practical Courses in Spondylotherapy and Electronic Diagnosis and Treatment” ($200 in advance). Some of the devices of Dr. Abrams are also advertised. “No apparatus sold on credit. Terms cash.” Among these are:
| “Dr. Abrams’ Electrodes for Electronic Diagnosis | $ 6 | .00 |
| “Biodynamometer | 36 | .00 |
| “Dr. Abrams’ Reflex Set | 36 | .00 |
| “Dr. Abrams’ Electro-Concusser | 120 | .00” |
THE OSCILLOCLAST
But what seems to be the outstanding piece of apparatus, devised or invented by Dr. Abrams, the pièce de resistance, as it were, of physicoclinical diagnosis and treatment, is the “Oscilloclast.”
This device is not for sale. It can be had only on lease. The first payment is $200 or $250, according to whether it is wired for alternating or direct current. Then there is a monthly payment of $5. Dr. Abrams publishes a list of more than 130 men who have leased one or more “Oscilloclasts.” Sir James Barr’s name heads the list. According to Dr. Abrams, the “Oscilloclast” owes its conception to the therapeutic principles he advocates. These, in part, are:
“1. Physiologic phenomena are manifestations of electronic energy.
“2. Pathologic phenomena are manifestations of perturbed electronic energy.