The Ocala evening star. [volume] (Ocala, Fla.) 1895-1943, 1912-10-21

To the Clergymen of the United
States: The National Association for
the Study and Prevention of Tuber-
culosis desires to call to the attention
of the clergymen of the United States
of all denominations the growing evil
of the exploitation of ignorant con-
sumptives by those who manufacture,
sell and advertise alleged remedies and
So called cures for the treatment of
tuberculosis.
The National Association represent
ing the most advanced scientific
thought in the treatment of turbercu-
losis declares to every one that no
drug or specific for the cure OF tuber-
culosis has yet been discovered. The
only cure for this disease as recog-
nized by scientific men today Is the
combination of fresh air, rest and
wholesome food taken under the d.
rection of competent physician.
In the judgment of this association,
therefore any remedy which pretends
to cure tuberculosis without these es-
sential factors, or which alleges that
certain device or drug is necessary a s a
specific in addition to these factors, is
pernicious, fraudulent and harmful. AS
matter Of fact, the United States De-
|
Medical Association and our own body,
besides numerous individual authori-
ties, have demonstrated that the great
majority of the alleged "cures" for
Tuberculosis which are now being sold
and exploited before the public contain
Ihabit-forming drugs, such as opium,
morphine, etc, and that they are
therefore doubly injurious. Further
more, the tuberculosis patient who is
induced by INSCRIPTIONS quack adver-
tisers to spend his money on se-called
cures for tuberculosis, loses not only
his money, but he also loses that va1ua-
BILE time, which in the majority of in
stances means loss of life. In other
words, while the patient is spending
his money on advertised "cures" for
tuberculosis, the disease is progressing
rapidly all the time, and when he
finally realizes that the professor"
doctor" or Institute" can do nothing
for him, he is so far advanced that no
one else and no scientific means can
cure his disease.
To indicate the extent Of the bust
ness Of those who are selling and ex-
plotting fraudulent "cures" for tuber-
culosis, the national association has
demonstrated that the receipts Of these
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gate over fifteen million dollars an .
nually. There are at the present time
not less than five hundred different
kinds Of "cures" for tuberculosis be-
ing presented to the public in one way
or another. These cures" range all
the way from such simple home made
remedies as onions, lemons or herb
teas, to the pernicious drugs which are
exploited and sold by various COM
| panies of doctors" and institutes
who charge a certain specified amount
for a single treatment of a course of
Treatments.
The National Association and it's af-
fliated bodies. including state and To-
cal anti-turberculosis associations, the
boards of health and other organiza-
!; tions, call upon all clergymen In the
United States to denounce this or
ganized evil on tuberculosis Day.
tuberculosis Day has been set this
year for October 9th, but in accord
ance with the general character Of the
, plan, it is suggested that the occasion
, be observed on this date or on any
other date when it may be convenient
, for the individual church or clergy
man. A movement of this sort will save
, hundreds of thousands of victims OF
tuberculosis from unScrupulouS eX-
r ploiters of human life and human ig-
? norance.
If further details concerning any in
l dividual cure" for tuberculosis are
. desired, the National Association will
q be very glad to assist in securing this
I information. Very truly yours,
4 Livingston Farrand, NJ. D.,
Executive Secretary National Associa.
$ ton for Study and Prevention OF
: tuberculosis.