Excerpt of a Presidential Address by H. V. Drew, F.R.C.S. Annual Meeting of the New Zealand Branch, Timaru, 1912. Published in NZMJ 1912 March;11(41):1-8.The next subject that deserves scrutiny in the interests of the community is quackery, of which there are many varieties. Many attempts have been made to control this. The B.M.A. has had analyses made of many of the best known quack medicines, in order that the public may learn the simplicity of the frauds which amass millions to the quacks and induce the patient to postpone getting a doctor's opinion and so wasting money and time (which is the more valuable), for when lost the opportunity for successful treatment has often gone forever.Whilst on this subject, I should like to point out that the Press are large gainers by these quack advertisements, and how they reconcile it with their high standard of public morals I have not yet heard explained. Clearly, the advertising of false statements, often of a disgusting character, should he stopped by the authorities, for it is simply gaining money under false pretences.Prescribing by chemists should also be made an offence, as being injurious to the community.

Excerpt of a Presidential Address by H. V. Drew, F.R.C.S. Annual Meeting of the New Zealand Branch, Timaru, 1912. Published in NZMJ 1912 March;11(41):1-8.The next subject that deserves scrutiny in the interests of the community is quackery, of which there are many varieties. Many attempts have been made to control this. The B.M.A. has had analyses made of many of the best known quack medicines, in order that the public may learn the simplicity of the frauds which amass millions to the quacks and induce the patient to postpone getting a doctor's opinion and so wasting money and time (which is the more valuable), for when lost the opportunity for successful treatment has often gone forever.Whilst on this subject, I should like to point out that the Press are large gainers by these quack advertisements, and how they reconcile it with their high standard of public morals I have not yet heard explained. Clearly, the advertising of false statements, often of a disgusting character, should he stopped by the authorities, for it is simply gaining money under false pretences.Prescribing by chemists should also be made an offence, as being injurious to the community.