Betwixt The Sheets: The History of Sex, Scandal & Society Goat Testicle Transplants: The Bizarre History
Feb 7, 2025
In a dive into medical quackery, Tim Hartford, host of "Cautionary Tales," uncovers the outrageous life of John R. Brinkley, a man notorious for promoting goat testicle transplants as a remedy for virility and fertility. They explore the interplay between showmanship and ethical violations in medicine. From Brinkley's rise to fame with dubious claims to his spectacular fall from grace, the conversation reveals the bizarre consequences of desperation for health solutions and critiques the lack of regulation in early 20th-century medicine.
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Brinkley's Early Career
- John Brinkley, a charismatic showman, began his medical career selling colored water as a cure-all.
- He later gained notoriety for goat testicle transplants, falsely promising restored virility and fertility.
Goat Gland Surgery
- Brinkley's goat testicle transplant involved placing goat glands into men's scrotums.
- He falsely claimed to connect blood vessels and ensure oxygen supply, enhancing the placebo effect.
Popularity of Goat Glands
- Brinkley's goat gland treatment gained popularity, mirroring the excitement around Viagra.
- The perceived success, fueled by placebo and Brinkley's self-promotion, drew patients from far and wide.