Bad Ads

"There is no known drug or combination of drugs which will prevent or cure influenza." Thus downrightly did Walter Gilbert Campbell of the Department of Agriculture fortify his last week's attack against bad & misleading medical advertisements. With the spread of the influenza epidemic pernicious drug vendors cried new merits for their proprietaries.

Mr. Campbell, no doctor, but a Louisville-trained lawyer who has been a Food & Drugs Act watchdog for the Department of Agriculture for more than 20 years, has been narrowly watching the dopesters' printed promises. They have been very cautious about putting unwarranted claims upon the labels of their products, because they know that thereby they render themselves liable to prosecution, fine and imprisonment under the Food & Drugs Act. But the Act does not apply to advertisements in newspapers, magazines, brochures or handbills. And through such bypasses slick manufacturers have made their effect on people inclined to take advertising claims at face value. Such advertised claims are rarely repeated on the labels or circulars with the packages of drugs. Federal prosecutors are usually helpless.

The best method of preventing or curing influenza combines isolation, rest, sleep, good food, proper ventilation.