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Quack!: Tales of Medical Fraud from the Museum of Questionable Medical Devices
The curator of the Museum of Questionable Medical Devices shares his collection of hilarious, horrifying, and preposterous medical devices that have been foisted upon the gullible in their quest for good health. These modern-day snake oil salesmen, with their dubious devices, have preyed on the medically ignorant with ridiculous and sobering results. From the Prostate Gland Warmer to the Retro Rotor, from the Nose Straightener to the Wonder Electro Marvel, these implements reveal the desperate measures sought for magic cures. With period advertisements, promotional literature, and gadget instructions, this book offers a wealth of past -- and present -- medical fraud.
- GenresHistory
238 pages, Paperback
First published November 1, 2000
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Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews
September 6, 2007
After reading The Road to Wellville, I decided to keep the theme in play by reading Quack!: Tales of Medical Fraud from the Museum of Questionable Medical Devices. I bought this oversized book from the museum's gift store and got it autographed by Mr. McCoy, as he was in that day & more than happy to show us around.
The book itself contains an overview of items (mostly equipment, but some consumables as well) used to treat the gullible public from the turn of the century up til today, with the focus being mainly on objects from the 1900's through about WWII - as they were most likely to survive in the attics and cellars of our parents and grandparents. To our modern mind, the fraud may seem obvious - but with the wealth of technology that deluged the first half of this century - it was as easy to believe that the violet ray machine would work as well as radio or television did.
Along with copious pictures, illustrations and ads, Mr. McCoy delves into the details of such devices as the Battle Creek Vibratory Chair (designed to treat constipation among other ills), the Coetherator (which diagnosed and treated patients by detecting their "vibrations" from a spot of blood, saliva or even just their handwriting), and my favorite, the Psycograph - an automated phrenology machine. Yes, ladies and gentlemen, I *have* had my head examined!
The Sex section includes information on vibrators, penis sheaths, breast enlargers and various nostrums for both female and male problems. The section on Radium is chilling, with some of the artifacts discussed still registering on a Geiger counter.
What Quack lacks in depth, it makes up for in showing us that the more we learn about past medical frauds, the less likely we are to fall for the same song and dances our ancestors did. Recommended to anyone with a healthy sense of skepticism.
The book itself contains an overview of items (mostly equipment, but some consumables as well) used to treat the gullible public from the turn of the century up til today, with the focus being mainly on objects from the 1900's through about WWII - as they were most likely to survive in the attics and cellars of our parents and grandparents. To our modern mind, the fraud may seem obvious - but with the wealth of technology that deluged the first half of this century - it was as easy to believe that the violet ray machine would work as well as radio or television did.
Along with copious pictures, illustrations and ads, Mr. McCoy delves into the details of such devices as the Battle Creek Vibratory Chair (designed to treat constipation among other ills), the Coetherator (which diagnosed and treated patients by detecting their "vibrations" from a spot of blood, saliva or even just their handwriting), and my favorite, the Psycograph - an automated phrenology machine. Yes, ladies and gentlemen, I *have* had my head examined!
The Sex section includes information on vibrators, penis sheaths, breast enlargers and various nostrums for both female and male problems. The section on Radium is chilling, with some of the artifacts discussed still registering on a Geiger counter.
What Quack lacks in depth, it makes up for in showing us that the more we learn about past medical frauds, the less likely we are to fall for the same song and dances our ancestors did. Recommended to anyone with a healthy sense of skepticism.
July 28, 2017
Full of great primary source material for anyone interested in quack medicine, early advertisement, or strange gadgets/gizmos. Although some of the information provided by the author lacks nuance it is at times quite informative while at others it only provided minimal information or discussion on the topic at hand.
August 12, 2010
Man, people believe the craziest stuff... And still do! Damn that internet and the misinformation it spreads. People STILL fall for magnet therapy and wheatgrass -not to mention chiropractic and acupuncture!!
May 1, 2015
ok book about medical quackery.
Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews