The Great American Fraud: Articles On The Nostrum Evil And Quacks

by Samuel Hopkins Adams

The Great American Fraud is a collection of articles written by Samuel Hopkins Adams that exposes the fraudulent practices of the patent medicine industry in the early 20th century. The book provides a comprehensive analysis of the dangers of quackery and the promotion of untested and often dangerous medicines to the American public. Adams delves into the tactics used by companies to deceive consumers and the lack of regulation by the government. The book includes case studies of individuals who have been harmed by these medicines and highlights the need for reform in the industry. The Great American Fraud is a seminal work that contributed to the passage of the Pure Food and Drug Act of 1906, which established the first federal regulations of the food and drug industry in the United States.This scarce antiquarian book is a facsimile reprint of the old original and may contain some imperfections such as library marks and notations. Because we believe this work is culturally important, we have made it available as part of our commitment for protecting, preserving, and promoting the world's literature in affordable, high quality, modern editions, that are true to their original work.

Paperback

First published January 1, 1907

About the author

From the book jacket of "Sunrise to Sunset", (c) 1950
At seventy-nine Samuel Hopkins Adams attributes his longevity, vigor and vim to neither smoking nor drinking, except when he feels like it. This is typical of the intelligent attitude toward the vagaries of life that has maintained him through the years in which he has authored more than forty books, written countless magazine articles and, as a crusading reporter, almost single-handedly accounted for the passage of the Federal Food and Drug laws which pave protected millions of his fellow citizens.

Mr. Adams' amazing knowledge of the history of upper New York State is the result of his lifelong interest in the region in which he was born. His home is Wide Waters, on the shore of Owasco, "loveliest of the Finger Lakes." From Wide Waters he still makes forways into the surrounding countryside, attending antique-auction sales "for the purpose of sneering at the prevalent junk," which he says he wouldn't put in his open hearth Franklin stove for fear of insulting it.

A graduate of Hamilton College in Clinton, New York, class of 1891, Mr. Adams introduced football to the campus, played tackle on its first team, and won the Intercollegiate Tennis Championship. For these contributions to scholarship, his college conferred on him the degree of L.H.D. in 1926.

Adams also wrote under the pseudonym Warner Fabian.

Reviews

[Sean Harding · Rating 3 out of 5]

A culturally important book that on one level is quite dated and on another still has important things to say to our over medicated society.
Quite interesting in parts, the whole use of alcohol in drugs by people promoting temperance was both enlightening and amusing.

[Mariana · Rating 2 out of 5]

I'm not really sure why I read this. It was definitely a unique read, but I can't say that I recommend it

[Jim B · Rating 5 out of 5]

Considering it is well over a century old, this holds up remarkably well. Adams is a terrific investigative journalist, and there isn't much philosophical difference between nostrums where no active ingredient is allowed to be known to homeopathic "remedies" where no active ingredient is allowed, full stop.
A word of warning: there are a lot of editions out there. Get the one that looks like this, as it has the original pictures and graphics. Others do not, and just print this public domain book as cheaply as they can and shove it out the door.

[Luna · Rating 4 out of 5]

Although aspects of this compilation of the Collier' s Weekly are not necessarily relevant today many aspects are pertinent to modern quack medicine. From criticism of claims, testimonials, advertising techniques and on the reader learns that many things haven't changed in the past century. As a primary source for turn of the twentieth century concerns related to pure food and drugs this is an excellent source.

[Isabella · Rating 3 out of 5]

a nonfiction book that will shock you with the knowledge that many of the world's modern problems are actually over 100 years old. Some facts will shock you. Then the attitudes of the people interviewed are still relatable and will make you laugh.