Dr. Brinkley's Miracle Cure For Impotence (with Betwixt The Sheets)
Cautionary Tales with Tim Harford
00:00
Quackery and Charm: The Brinkley Saga
This chapter explores the strange tale of Dr. John Romulus Brinkley, known for his goat gland testicle transplants as a cure for impotence. It examines his rise to infamy through charisma and self-promotion in rural America, paralleling his dubious practices with modern-day social media influencers. The narrative sheds light on the flaws in early medical understanding and the allure of unproven treatments during the early 20th century.
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Transcript
