Photographic reproduction (greatly reduced) of small portion of the publicity that has been given to Edgar relative to his operation for “sex stimulation” by the transplantation of the glands of ring-tailed monkeys!
A layman in South Carolina who wrote to Edgar in June, 1919, was told that the treatment as administered by Edgar “extends over a period of two months; fee $300” and that if he wanted the serum administered by his own physician the cost would be “$50 prepaid.”
In May, 1920, Edgar had another article on diabetes, also in the New York Medical Journal. In this, too, he refers to his serum in the following words:
“In conclusion I may state that I have been able to produce some rather startling results by the use of my serum, which is prepared from the blood of rabbits after they have undergone a series of maneuvres capable of activating the various internal secretory glands to increased action. The serum contains the internal secretions in hormone form.”
Gradually the newspaper publicity on Edgar’s diabetic “serum” died down. Then, in November, 1920, there appeared—again in the New York Medical Journal—an article by Edgar on “Sterility, Sex Stimulation and Endocrines.” Edgar there stated that he wished to place himself “on record as being interested in sex stimulation” and that he wanted to notify the profession that he had another serum which he was using “with success in the treatment of this condition.” Thus:
“... I feel entitled to state that I have a distinctly beneficial serum for the alleviation of presenile and senile deficiency; and that my product is capable of producing a new lease of life in those whose functions have been reduced to a minimum.”
How long Edgar has been featuring his “serum” for “sex stimulation” it is difficult to determine, but during the last year the newspapers have carried sporadic reports of alleged remarkable results produced by “Dr. Thomas Webster Edgar of 766 West End Ave., New York,” through the transplantation of the “interstitial gland” taken from “a special species of orangoutang.” A layman who wrote Edgar some months ago regarding this “gland implantation” received a letter from Edgar’s secretary stating that the treatment “has been most successful in all cases” and assuring him that “the experimental stage had been passed, and the operation is advised in all cases presenting symptoms of presenility or age.” A week later the same man received a letter written by Edgar himself in which he reiterated the claim that all of the operations had been successful. Edgar added that he was now treating all cases “by operation instead of the serum,” and that “the fee for operation is $500, inclusive of the sanitarium,” the patients remaining in the “sanitarium” “for from two to three days.” A month or two later the prospective patient received another letter signed, “Thomas Webster Edgar, M.D.,” assuring him that “the effect is permanent, and does not wear off. No ill effects can possibly result.”
Commencing, Oct. 1, 1921, a series of sensational articles appeared regarding one of Edgar’s alleged monkey gland implantations performed on an individual described as “one time lawyer and then a writer.” These articles purport to be written partly by one of the newspaper staff, partly by the man undergoing the “operation” and at least one by Thomas Webster Edgar. The material is played up in the style typical of yellow journalism. In addition to repeated pictures of the individual who is being operated on, there also are given pictures of Thomas Webster Edgar and one of his “ring-tailed monkeys.” Doubtless the “story” has sold many newspapers. Its sensational character, the element of mystery and above all its sex slant will appeal to that large class of newspaper readers that hunger for stuff of this sort. Doubtless, too, it has proved a large advertising asset for Thomas Webster Edgar.
The statement that appears in the series to the effect that Edgar “is a member of the County Medical Society of New York” is incorrect. Edgar is not a member.