histmss-074987-0002

BEWARE OF SWINDLERS!

We have had our attention repeatedly called to the fact
that imposters are traveling in different parts of the United
States, and representing themselves to be our Dr. R. V.
PIERCE or his brother, thereby securing the confidence of
the afflicted, and swindling them, by obtaining fees under
such misrepresentation.

Dr. R. V. PIERCE has but two near relatives belonging to
the medical profession, Dr. F. D. PIERCE who is a member
of the Faculty of the Invalids' Hotel, and one of the Profes-
sors in the College of Physicians and Surgeons at Buffalo,
and an uncle who is an eminent general practitioner in
Sabula, Iowa.

We have no branches of the World's Dispensary, ex-
cept in London, England, and that branch is under the man-
agement of competent medical gentlemen, formerly, and for
a long time, connected with the old and renowned home
institution located at Buffalo.

Others attempt to deceive the public by applying to their
worthless preparations similar sounding names to those
long used to designate our Dr. Pierce's Family Medicines.
When desiring to purchase any of Dr. Pierce's Family Med-
icines always carefully observe the name printed upon the
wrappers, and that they bear upon them our private Internal
Revenue Stamp, the the words "U. S. Certificate of Genu-
ineness" and our name engraved thereon. To imitate the
name or style of putting up one of our medicines constitutes
a felony under the statues enacted for the protection of
trade-marks, and we shall prosecute to the full extent of the
law all persons attemptions to trespass upon our rights.

WORLD'S DISPENSARY MEDICAL ASSOCIATION,
Buffalo, N.Y., and Great Russell Street Buildings, London

Common Sense vs. Prejudice.

We are aware that there is a popular, and not altogether un-
founded, prejudice against "patent medicines," owing to the small
amount of merit which many of them possess. The appellation
"Patent Medicine" does not, however, apply to the remedies herein
recommended, as no patent has ever been asked for or obtained
upon them, nor have they been urged upon the public as "cure-
alls." They are simply some favorite prescriptions, which, in a very
extensive practice, have proved their remedial virtues in the cure
of the diseases for which they are recommended. Every practicing
physician has his favorite remedies, which he oftenest recommends
or uses, because he has the greatest confidence in their virtues.
The patient does not know their composition. Even prescriptions
are usually written in a language unintelligibile to any but the drug-
gist. As much secrecy is employed as in the preparation of pro-
prietary medicines. Does the fact that an article is prepared by a
process known only to the manufacturer render that article less
valuable? How many physicians know the elementary composi-
tion of the remedies which they employ, some of which have never
been analyzed? Few practitioners know how Morphine, Quinine,
Podophyllin, Leptandrin, Pepsin, or Chloroform, are made, or how
nauseous drugs are transformed into palatable elixirs; yet they
do not hesitate to employ them. Is it not inconsistent to use a pre-
scription, the composition of which is unknown to us, and discard
another preparation simply because it is accompanied by a printed
statement of its properities, with directions for its use? We leave
the intelligent reader to answer.