Name/Title
Radam's microbe killerDescription
After the role of microscopic organisms in causing disease was accepted, entrepreneurs quickly seized the opportunity to promote any number of worthless remedies. The Sherley amendment to the food and drug law was passed in 1912, declaring that a medication was unlawful “if its package or label shall bear or contain any statement, design, or device regarding the curative or therapeutic effect of such article or any of the ingredients or substances contained therein, which is false and fraudulent.”
One of the first to feel the weight of this new regulation was William Radam’s Microbe Killer, an oral medication that supposedly released healing gases that disinfected the entire body, curing such diverse diseases as malaria, leprosy, small pox, measles, headache, and constipation. Chemists determined that it contained ninety-nine percent tap water, and one percent sulfuric acid. At best, it acted as a mild laxative, though testimonials by satisfied customers in court documented cures of any number of serous conditions including diphtheria, and cancer.Condition
Overall Condition
Very GoodDate Examined
Aug 7, 2026Create Date
August 7, 2026Update Date
August 24, 2026