Chapter
The Rise of Patent Medicines and Artificial Tapeworms
20:44 - 25:58 (05:13)
The allure of confident claims and a broken healthcare system made patent medicine a big business in the 1800s and early 1900s, leading to the creation of artificial tapeworms by a Kansas City factory.
Clips
The history of medicine showmen and their fraudulent practices including the sales of electricity belts and other fake medical inventions that were marketed with exaggerated claims to the vulnerable population.
20:44 - 23:09 (02:24)
Summary
The history of medicine showmen and their fraudulent practices including the sales of electricity belts and other fake medical inventions that were marketed with exaggerated claims to the vulnerable population.
ChapterThe Rise of Patent Medicines and Artificial Tapeworms
EpisodeSnake Oil
PodcastMaintenance Phase
Medicine shows in America used to sell anything from tapeworm removal pills to snake oil.
23:09 - 24:04 (00:55)
Summary
Medicine shows in America used to sell anything from tapeworm removal pills to snake oil. These shows were often fraudulent and preyed on naive audiences in order to make a quick buck.
ChapterThe Rise of Patent Medicines and Artificial Tapeworms
EpisodeSnake Oil
PodcastMaintenance Phase
The podcast discusses the history of patent medicine, which was a popular product sold during medicine shows and on street corners in the 1800s and early 1900s.
24:04 - 25:58 (01:53)
Summary
The podcast discusses the history of patent medicine, which was a popular product sold during medicine shows and on street corners in the 1800s and early 1900s. The term "snake oil" actually refers to this type of medicine.