Chapter XI: The “tremol Treatment” for Bad Legs

Under the general name of the “Tremol Treatment,” medicines for the
cure of “bad legs” are supplied by the limited company trading as
“The National College of Health, Limited, Eye, Ear, Throat, and Skin
Institute, and Infirmary for Bad Legs” at an address in Manchester,
and an account is here given of the analysis of some of these. We
also give some account of the methods used to attract patients, and
if any further proof were needed of the necessity for further legal
control of medical companies, this alone should furnish everything
that could be required. The institution has been in existence for
several years, but has recently become very active, and claims to
have treated some thousands of cases. The methods used to attract
patients are open to serious criticism. It is stated that every
patient is under the direct supervision of a “fully qualified medical
man.” Several attempts have been made to find out the name and
qualifications of any such medical man, but without success, and
it is to be noted that he is called “fully qualified,” not “duly
registered,” and at any rate no duly registered practitioner is
known to have anything to do with the place. It would appear that
comparatively few of the patients receive any personal examination,
and that the great majority are never even seen by the “doctor” or by
any of the staff, and anything approaching diagnosis is made simply
from perusal of letters sent by patients. On turning up the _Truth_
Cautionary List the following note is found:

“National College of Health, Great Clowes Street, Higher Broughton,
Manchester.--Proprietors of a cure for bad legs called ‘Tremol.’
The first price for a course of treatment is two guineas, which is
reduced to one guinea if the bait is not swallowed. Also endeavours
to obtain advertisements on the payment-by-results system, offering
5s. for every patient caught through an advertisement.”

We may add that if a patient once applies for information he may
expect to be dunned for months until he orders the remedies. This
is well shown in letters sent to a person who, after receiving the
budget of testimonials, had decided not to order the remedies. The
following are typical extracts of the letters he received. “I am
truly sorry and much disappointed that you have not yet participated
in the benefits of the Tremol treatment. I am personally anxious
that you should become a patient of mine, as I know positively that
you would derive the greatest of benefits.... Is it scepticism? Is
it doubt? Is it your financial position that stands in the way?
Tell me plainly your reason for not ordering the treatment and let
me help you as it is my earnest desire to do so. I am anxiously
awaiting your reply.” This letter of entreaty seems to have had no
result, and accordingly in a few weeks another was sent, saying: “I
am specially interested in your case and having brought it to the
notice of the Board of Directors I am instructed by them to make
the following concession to you.” The concession was that the full
two-guinea course of treatment would be sent for 31s. 6d. on the
condition that “when you are cured you will tell all your friends and
neighbours that it was the Tremol treatment that cured you and that
you do not divulge that the Board has made this concession.” One of
the letters contains the words, “I am personally anxious that you
should become a patient of mine,” and it might naturally be inferred
that the signature was that of the “fully qualified medical man,”
but we cannot trace the name in the _Medical Register_ as that of a
person residing in or near Manchester. A further letter, imploring
the recipient “as a friend” to continue the treatment, is printed in