35 



fully realize the importance of the subject, while, ou the other hand, the 

 average physician pays too little attention to the scientific but non- 

 medical aspects of it. As a matter of fact most physicians are so dis- 

 gusted with the subject, and patent medicines are in such bad repute 

 with them, that they think it beneath their dignity to notice it— and 

 so the patent medicine man flourishes unmolested. 



But, it will be argued, if the patent medicine man flourishes that 

 is evidence that his wares are in demand; if there were no demand he 

 would not flourish. Of course. The law of demand and supply might 

 be quoted. It might also be said that reading maketh a full man— but 

 that hardly applies to the reader of the patent medicine advertisements 

 in the newspapers. 



Consulting the Literature: Every Avorker in science knows what it 

 means to look up the literature of, a subject. "Consulting the literature," 

 is a common expression. Now Avhen it comes to the kind of literature 

 just referred to we need not look far nor long to find it. The very first 

 newspaper or magazine you get hold of will be full of it. Did you 

 ever examine, not to say study, such advertisements? Can it be said of 

 the man who does not and can not read that he is keeping back the 

 progress of his race in its attempts to solve the problems that are con- 

 stantly arising as man gets farther and farther away from the condition 

 of primitive man? The man who reads patent medicine literature for the 

 purpose of getting valuable or useful information is certainly to be 

 pitied. 



In a general way patent medicines and the names of common ail- 

 ments, not to say diseases, go together; the one presupposes the other. 

 Ailments and diseases fall into groups, likewise do patent medicines and 

 their advertisements. If it can be shown that in some of our dusty 

 cities in which the spitting habit prevails three-fourths of the patent 

 medicines are advertised for ailments directly due to the inhalation of 

 city dust, Ave at once see the importance of the question of pure and 

 impure air and we dimly realize the effects of the dust. 



We all know that life depends on the oxidation of organic substances 

 used as food, enabling us to keep up bodily activities. Oxidation means 

 the use of air. Pure air is an important factor in determining health; 

 A'ery impure air can not sustain life and partially impure air may place 

 the l)ndy at a disadvantage in the struggle Avith its surroundings. 



