Rengo fruit for obesity
A "remedy for obesity" marketed circa 1906. It supposedly was made from the "Rengo fruit". In Nostrums and Quackery (1912) the American Medical Association offered this analysis:
Rengo used to be known as "Rengo Fruit" and the claim was made that its active constituents were derived from a luscious tropical fruit which grows in clusters similar to grapes...
Rengo has been analyzed and, according to Dr. Kebler's analysis, contains: Thyroid gland, Poke root, Cascara, Cassia fistula.
That the prolonged administration of thyroid gland will sometimes bring about a marked reduction in weight is true but its use even under skilled medical supervision is fraught with danger. It is little less than criminal that ignorant quacks of Kellogg's type should be permitted to distribute indiscriminately drugs that have the potency for harm that is possessed by the thyroid preparations.
Rengo has been analyzed and, according to Dr. Kebler's analysis, contains: Thyroid gland, Poke root, Cascara, Cassia fistula.
That the prolonged administration of thyroid gland will sometimes bring about a marked reduction in weight is true but its use even under skilled medical supervision is fraught with danger. It is little less than criminal that ignorant quacks of Kellogg's type should be permitted to distribute indiscriminately drugs that have the potency for harm that is possessed by the thyroid preparations.
source: flickr
Comments
I guess the "Rengo Fruit" is the Cassia Fistula fruit, which is a bit laxative. Thanks, Wikipedia!
Posted by Yudith on 06/10/21 at 05:45 AM
I was curious about the mention of Kellogg in the quack medicine excerpt. That puts an unsavory spin on the humble corn flake.
Posted by KDP on 06/10/21 at 10:02 AM
KDP
Kellogg's "cures" were a distillation of the quackery of eating the right stuff.
Kellogg's "cures" were a distillation of the quackery of eating the right stuff.
Posted by eddi on 06/11/21 at 10:48 PM
Oh, if you think this makes Kellogg look unsavoury, watch The Road To Wellville. You'll never eat a Frostie again. Not unless you're as much of a pervert as I am.
Posted by Richard Bos on 06/12/21 at 02:29 PM
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Category: Patent Medicines, Nostrums and Snake Oil | Fruit | 1900s