Distrust of doctors was widespread and not without justification

Lydia E. Pinkham
Lydia Estes Pinkham was born on February 9, 1819, in Lynn, Massachusetts. She was the tenth of twelve children born of Rebecca and Billy Estes. Her father was an independent businessman. Originally a shoemaker, he later built a successful salt-works factory on his property. Lydia died on May 17th 1893 at the age of sixty-four after suffering a stroke in December of 1882. During this period, distrust of doctors was widespread and not without justification. Physicians and surgeons killed almost as many patients as they saved. The medical profession relied on visible symptoms in diagnosing diseases and had difficulty in distinguishing one illness from another. Doctors tended to treat only the patients symptoms and then used dangerous methods in doing so. Many of the drugs prescribed were actually poisons which produced noticeable results - perspiration, vomiting and diarrhea. This of course required that the patient consume greater amounts of the supposedly curative potion, with predictable results. Calomel was a popular drink prescribed by doctors for many different illnesses. It contained mercury (not then recognized as a poison). Physicians increased the dose when the patient responded with adverse reactions, further hastening the patients demise. Bloodletting was another popular treatment used for every disease and injury. The theory was to produce noticeable results. The physicians believed they were drawing "bad blood" which had caused the disease. The indiscriminate bleeding was bad enough, however the amount of blood taken was shocking. Most doctors recommended bleeding until the patient passed out. It has been reported that George Washington was hastened to a premature death by his doctors use of bleeding during a minor illness. Physicians considered female reproductive organs the source of almost all female illness. Gynecologists did not hesitate to remove ovaries for little or no reason. The mortality rate for this barbaric practice was as high as 40 percent. By removing a woman's reproductive organs, the primary source of monthly variations in hormone levels, hormones that can affect mood changes and sexual desire, it was possible to eliminate the "hysteria", ergo hysterectomy. This is somewhat analogous with or comparable to the current practice called female circumcision practiced today in many Moslem countries. It was during this time that Lydia Pinkham told women to stop visiting doctors, take her herbal formula, exercise, and eat fresh fruits, vegetables, and grains.

Lydia E. Pinkham

Lydia Estes Pinkham was born on February 9, 1819, in Lynn, Massachusetts. She was the tenth of twelve children born of Rebecca and Billy Estes. Her father was an independent businessman. Originally a shoemaker, he later built a successful salt-works factory on his property. Lydia died on May 17th 1893 at the age of sixty-four after suffering a stroke in December of 1882.

During this period, distrust of doctors was widespread and not without justification. Physicians and surgeons killed almost as many patients as they saved. The medical profession relied on visible symptoms in diagnosing diseases and had difficulty in distinguishing one illness from another. Doctors tended to treat only the patients symptoms and then used dangerous methods in doing so. Many of the drugs prescribed were actually poisons which produced noticeable results - perspiration, vomiting and diarrhea. This of course required that the patient consume greater amounts of the supposedly curative potion, with predictable results.

Calomel was a popular drink prescribed by doctors for many different illnesses. It contained mercury (not then recognized as a poison). Physicians increased the dose when the patient responded with adverse reactions, further hastening the patients demise.

Bloodletting was another popular treatment used for every disease and injury. The theory was to produce noticeable results. The physicians believed they were drawing "bad blood" which had caused the disease.

The indiscriminate bleeding was bad enough, however the amount of blood taken was shocking. Most doctors recommended bleeding until the patient passed out. It has been reported that George Washington was hastened to a premature death by his doctors use of bleeding during a minor illness.

Physicians considered female reproductive organs the source of almost all female illness. Gynecologists did not hesitate to remove ovaries for little or no reason. The mortality rate for this barbaric practice was as high as 40 percent. By removing a woman's reproductive organs, the primary source of monthly variations in hormone levels, hormones that can affect mood changes and sexual desire, it was possible to eliminate the "hysteria", ergo hysterectomy. This is somewhat analogous with or comparable to the current practice called female circumcision practiced today in many Moslem countries.

It was during this time that Lydia Pinkham told women to stop visiting doctors, take her herbal formula, exercise, and eat fresh fruits, vegetables, and grains.

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