Iowa state bystander. [volume] (Des Moines, Iowa) 1894-1916, 1914-08-14
WORTHLESS CURES
Government Sends Out Warning
Against Anti-Fat Treatment.
Department Of Agriculture Tests
eoms or These REMEDIES" on lts
Own Employees and Finds Them
20 Re vaiueiess.

-
eoms or These Remedies" on its
Own Employees and Finds Them
'' 70 30 vaiueiess.
Washington. - Numerous inquiries
received by the United States depart
nent Of agriculture indicate that pro-
noters Of so-called obesity remedies
and fatreducing cures are using an
old trick dressed In new clothes to
deceive fat people into spending money
for worthless or dangerous prepare
tons. The advertisements appeal to
the vanity of people who wish to re-
gain graceful figures and also to the
business necessities Of those who be-
come so fat that they can no longer
do their work efficiently.
In order to be able to give definite
reply to many people inQuiring about
specific remedies, the drug specialists
Of the bureau of chemistry recently
conducted q series of tests with
number Of nostrums OF this character
ON employees In the department who
wished to lose surplus flesh without
injuring their health. One Of the
most widely advertised socalled pre-
scriptions for reducing flesh was tried
for period Of six months. The re-
suit was that two Of the subjects un-
der experimentation were obliged to
stop after taking the medicine for two
or three weeks because of its inju-
rious effect. The third subject gained
two and one-half pounds instead OF
losing flesh. Another Of the so-called
remedies Of a Great Obesity Special
ist' was tried. The subject scrupu-
lousy followed the diet list which &C.
companied this remedy and faithfully
carried out the system Of exercises
recommended. After six months
treatment there was q reduction of Is
pounds of flesh. but this the expert
mentors attribute to the fact that the
subject ate no bread. butter, starchy
food, pastry, sugar or candy while
under observation. The first month
after disseminating the treatment the
subject gained ten pounds, and in
three months was back to the original
weight recorded at the beginning Of
the treatment.
The circulars, letters and other an
nouncements Of these so-called ODE
sity remedies, which are published
broadcast, in many cases asserted that
q two-cent stamp is the only charge.
Those sending the two cents to the
supposed philanthropist, who wishes
to help other sufferers to get rid Of
surplus flesh, commonly received
statement that the physician or pro
lessor discovered this remedy in the
wilds OF some foreign country or re-
ceived It from some famous Indian
medicine man on his deathbed. Then
after due praise Of the effectiveness
Of the remedy the professor" states
that he is willing to supply this won
derful treatment for fee Of from
SIS to SIS . month. II the prospective
patient does not answer Immediately
he Is besieged with line Of follow
up letters, and finally az q great indi-
vidual favor he ia told that he can OBJ
tain this marvellous guaranteed flesh
Teducer for the sum of $3.50. In re-
turn for the reduced price, however,
the patient must agree to tell all his
fat friends about this wonderful means
Of shedding avoirdupois.
Judging from the letters received by
the department of agriculture appeal
ing to it to stop this practice under
the food and drugs act, women are
usually the victims Of these "profes-
sors." Much Of the literature con-
tains alleged statements of some indi-
vidual woman's thrilling experience In
fat-forming and fatreducing. and this
makes the situation seem real and
personal to the other woman. Cases
are ON record where women have part
ed with almost their last dollar In the
hope OF improving their figures. and
have awaited results with anticipation
that makes their later disappointment
almost pathetic. The strong feature
OF most Of the literature is that no
dieting is necessary; the medicine is
to do 1t all, and the patient is told that
be can eat all he wants and as often
as he wishes, which is strong induce
nent to most stout people.
These preparations usually contain
thyroids and laxatives. The thyroids
may prove very hurtful unless given
under the advice Of physician per-
sonally familiar with the subjects
physical condition. The department
has on record an instance where death
has followed oyerdoses Of preparations
containing thyroids. Other prepare
tons containing poke root (phyto-
hcca), a poisonous drug. and others.
analysis show, contain nothing that
could possibly have the slightest ef-
feet In reducing flesh.
The only ways that the departments
specialists know Of safely reducing
flesh are rigid dieting. and strenuous
exercise, and those to be effective
must be continued over long period
Of time. The fat reducing patient must
eliminate from his diet fats. starchy
foods and sugar. In many cases it is
not wise because OF other physical
conditions for fat people to attempt
any rapid reduction In weight. As =
general rule diet and exercise are best
directed by 4 skilled physician. Loss
of flesh is by no means blessing IL
accompanied by loss Of health. energy
or strength. :.. :. 49,.
FIGHT ON HookWoRM. I
The campaign against the hookworm