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Rectal dilators also were popular in the early 20th century, and were sold as a home device to treat any number of medical and neurological complaints, the theory being that the use of this product stimulated nerve pathways controlling various organ systems (102-103a).

One of the most popular health devices for the home as well as the doctor's office was a vacuum tube that, when electrified, gave off light, sparks and generated ozone, the latter "curing" any number of respiratory complaints when inhaled. (104,105) These "violet ray" machines continued to be sold into the 1950's (106-108), with cased sets that contained numerous electrodes designed for use in separate parts of the body (109-117).

Pharmacists have always been eager to provide support to the medical community, though Federal requirements for safety and effectiveness were largely absent until the early part of the 20th century. "Snake oil" salesmen offered anything that would sell, with many medications containing a high alcohol content that found a loyal clientele in the home. Claims were often bizarre as medications were advertised to cure by electricity, magnetism, radiation, and even a cancer cure by urine injections (118-120).

Carnival sideshows often had a place in their penny arcades for the ever-popular electrotherapeutic device (121).

The Future?

The irony of past "quackery" is that many abandoned practices are back in use, including the use of leeches, magnets, and a high fat diet for weight loss (122). We await controlled studies and the scientific method for guidance; until then, who knows what else is around the corner?

102-103a) Therapeutic Rectal Dilators

According to Dr. Young, all organs are connected by nerve pathways and the function of these organs can be positively affected by the use of his rectal dilators. They usually came in 4 sizes and were available in gutta percha (the most common), glass, and aluminum.

104-105) Ozone Inhalation

Another irony of medicine is the past use of ozone as a cure for all respiratory complaints (as we now attempt to remove ozone from over our cities!). A small hand held device accompanied many of these home violet ray generators since ozone was a byproduct. The larger device was made by Calozone of Fullerton, California and was made for the same purpose.

106-108) Violet Ray Generators

Electrified vacuum tubes produced violet sparks and were extremely common into the 1950's. The Life Lite was used on all parts of the body and at all ages, as can be seen from the enclosed advertising. The Sun-Kraft Company made a similar device, though for larger surface areas.

109-117) Violet Ray Cased Sets

Many cased violet ray sets for home use were available in the first part of the 20th century. A beautiful colored booklet was produced by the Vi-Rex Electric Company to advertise their violet ray generator though the most popular devices were made by Renulife. The pictured model has a marble top and contains accessories for all parts of the body. Note the rare bottle of oil with dropper used to improve the effect. Other "wands" were available and are pictured clockwise: 2 ozone inhalers, double eye wand, breast, vagina, body roller, gum, and body brush. The large violet ray set was made in the 1950's and the final set shown was sold by Sears.

118-120) Quack Medications

Pictured is the classic "snake oil" that was sold as a liniment, and several patent medicines that supposedly offered unusual ingredients: electricity, magnetism, radioactivity, and x-rays. Standard Laboratories in England produced extract of male urine to treat cancer by way of subcutaneous injection.

121) Quack Medicine at the Penny Arcade

The beneficial effects of therapy with electricity were available to all, including those spending an afternoon at the midway.

122) Benefits of a High Fat Diet

High fat diets were discouraged for years following this 1940 ad in Life magazine. Dr Atkins' diet now makes us once again rethink our position.

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103) Rectal Dilators

104) Calozone Ozone Generator

107) Life Lite Violet Ray



114) Ifas Violet Ray Set

119) Quack Medications

121) Penny Arcade

122) Dietary Advising