Ep 4-Goodness, Gracious, Great Balls of Liar! An Insane Story of Quackery.
Manage episode 467433221 series 3642737
Ever tried squeezing a wriggling, fur-covered bundle of energy into a pair of tiny dog boots? We sure have, and it’s only the beginning of our frosty adventure from the snowy landscapes of Minnesota and Alaska to the sunlit shores of the Cayman Islands. We kick things off by sharing the comical chaos of winter pet care, setting the stage for a laughter-filled episode. Inspired by our listeners, with a nod to Richard Marsh from Cornwall, we lighten things up with hilarious listener-submitted stories and share a sneak peek of our new segment, "Medical Mishaps," promising giggles in the midst of our typically intense discussions.
Brace yourself for the wild and wacky world of John Brinkley, a name synonymous with the outrageous medical quackery of the early 20th century. What do electric medicine scams, syphilis museum exhibits, and colored water injections have in common? They're all part of Brinkley's bag of tricks, concocted alongside his partner in crime, James Crawford. As we trace the tangled web of Brinkley's personal life and his bold escapades, you'll be both amused and astounded by his audacity. This bizarre chapter in medical history is a testament to the quirky characters who thrived in an era eager for easy cures.
Our tale crescendos with Brinkley's infamous goat gland surgery, a procedure as peculiar as it sounds. Imagine choosing your own goat for a so-called rejuvenating surgery! With charismatic marketing, Brinkley lured patients nationwide, intertwining music and medicine in a way never seen before. Just as his media empire, fueled by hillbilly tunes and border blaster stations, reached its zenith, the expose by Morris Fishbein brought it crashing down. Through Brinkley's rise and fall, we explore a transformative moment in American history, reminding us of the enduring power of storytelling and the dangerous allure of pseudoscience.
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Stay safe, and stay suspicious...trust, after all, is a delicate thing!
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Chapters
1. Ep 4-Goodness, Gracious, Great Balls of Liar! An Insane Story of Quackery. (00:00:00)
2. Medical Quackery in History (00:00:44)
3. Snake Oil Sales and Charlatans (00:17:22)
4. The Unbelievable Goat Gland Surgery (00:26:15)
5. The Rise and Fall of Brinkley (00:42:19)
21 episodes