The Illuminated Body: Representation in Medicine and Culture

Recreated Body

Quackery

The word "quack" comes from the term "quacksalver" which combines "quack" for the noisy call of a duck and "salver" meaning to heal. A quacksalver is someone who pretends to have medical knowledge and abilities and with noise or fanfare promotes a false medical product. Quack medicines and devices are often promoted through advertising and frequently offer "miracle cures."

11. Relax-A-Cizor c. 1949-1970. The Relax-A-Cizor claimed to reduce the hips, waistline, abdomen, and thighs "without physical effort" through electrical stimulation of the muscles. A pamphlet explains, "Relax-A-Cizor offers a method of selective, effortless exercise that is in keeping with the modern woman's busy schedule, as well. You use it at home for only 1/2 hour a day! Relax-A-Cizor does the work foryou while you REST, read, watch TV or chat on the phone!" Electrical shocks were given through its contact pads. The FDA won a lawsuit against Relax-A-Cizor, Inc. in 1970. The sale of this product was prohibited because of its potentially harmful effects which included abnormal heart rhythms, miscarriages, and worsening of hernias, ulcers, and epilepsy. On loan from the St. Louis Science Center and the National Food and Drug Administration Thermaroll A number of rollers were offered for sale with claims that they could eliminate fat at specific sites on the body. Such roller devices were widely popular despite all medical evidence against spot-reducing. This device was electrically powered to provide heat through the roller. On loan from the St. Louis Science Center and the National Food and Drug Administration

Quackery has a long history in the United States. Quack practices brought over from England flourished in a country that had no laws regulating the claims and efficacy of medical products. Quack products were advertised heavily and medicine shows took to the road in the 19th century in search of more customers. Concerns about harmful ingredients and false claims of quack products led to the first law regulating medical products, the Pure Food and Drug Act, in 1906. Quackery has persisted despite the passage of more laws prohibiting it. The quack devices on display date mainly to the middle of the 20th century.

Robbins, Peggy. "A Brief History of Quack Medicines In America." American Legion Magazine. March 1975.

Hafner, Arthur W. (Ed.) Guide to the American Medical Association Historical Health Fraud and Alternative Medicine Collection. Chicago: AMA, 1992.

Enforcement Actions Involving Therapeutic Devices: November 1, 1961 through September 30, 1963. U.S. Department of Health, Education and Welfare. U.S. Government Printing Office (1963):709-727.

Morrison, Margaret. "'In Only Four Weeks...'" FDA Consumer. Reprinted from June 1975. HHS Publication No. (FDA) 77-4001. Quack Devices
Abunda Bust Developer
Breast enlargers of various kinds have been promoted for over a century. They were commonly advertised in the Sears Roebuck catalog at the turn of the century. The Abunda claimed to increase breast size through hydrotherapy. The device was attached to a faucet, and water swirled through a perforated disc in the plastic breast cup, supposedly promoting breast growth.

On loan from the St. Louis Science Center and the National Food and Drug Administration

Inter-vac Hair Rejuvenator
This product claimed to prevent and reverse baldness using a vacuum applied to the scalp. The device generated a vacuum in the aluminum and rubber cap through its attachment to a household water faucet. The machine was claimed to restore hair by improving blood supply to the scalp.

On loan from the St. Louis Science Center and the National Food and Drug Administration

Rejuvene Electronic Facial Exercisor
Advertised as a beauty kit for regaining a youthful face, this product was claimed to eliminate wrinkles and firm facial tissue through electrical stimulation of facial muscles. It was touted as "the scientific approach to the problem of lines and wrinkles." The kit consisted of the special Rejuvene lotion, contact sponges, and the electronic device.

On loan from the St. Louis Science Center and the National Food and Drug Administration

Jayne Mansfield Sun Lamp
Named for a popular movie actress of the 1950's, the sun lamp promised to help cure adolescent skin problems, lower back pain, chills, arthritis, and rheumatism and to provide a tan. Such a lamp would have had the backing of mainstream medicine during the 1920's and 30's, when it was first found that ultraviolet light caused the body to increase its production of Vitamin D. It was said to be safe for hours of use even though ultraviolet lamps can burn the skin and cause skin damage. Today in the United States tanning practices remain popular. Promoted as a beauty aid rather than a health aid, use of tanning beds is widespread.

On loan from the St. Louis Science Center and the National Food and Drug Administration

Master High Frequency Violet Ray
c. 1929.

This electric device was promoted as a general cure-all. The Violet Ray was claimed to act as either a sedative or a stimulant. It could also be used to treat a long list of ailments ranging from acne to epilepsy, hemorrhoids to writer's cramp. Its brochure explained that "(t)he electrodes diffuse the electrical current in sprays of a beautiful deep color," and that this "is what produces the pleasing, invigorating and corrective effect derived from Violet Ray treatments." Many variously shaped electrodes could be purchased for the treatment of different body parts. The rounded electrode was intended "for facial and body treatment and for any surface application." The comb-shaped electrode on display was used for "scalp treatments."

Donated by William E. Nettleman, MD