“The Goat-Gland Transplantation” by Sydney B. Flower
$350
Out of stock
Description
[THE GOAT-GLAND TRANSPLANTATION]
FLOWER, Sydney B. No. 5 The One-Best-Way Series of New Thought Books: The Goat-Gland Transplantation As Originated and Successfully Performed by J.R. Brinkley, M.D., of Milford, Kansas, U.S.A., in Over 600 Operations Upon Men and Women. New Thought Book Department. Chicago. 1921. First edition.
A promotional book for “Doctor” J.R. Brinkley’s patented “Goat-Gland Transplantation”, this book is a relic of medical malpractice.
A proponent of the then-popular “Glandism” theory, Brinkley extolled the benefits of implanting and injecting the testicles, ovaries, and other organs of goats into human subjects. Never having attended formal medical school, Brinkley began his work by paying local farmers to serve as guinea pigs. Through a combination of clever marketing— suggesting that the cure only worked on the intelligent— and playing off the fears of aging, impotence, and infertility Brinkley built an empire off his 750-dollar-a-treatment operations before expanding into radio and mail order businesses. His radio station arguably created modern Country Western music by expanding the then regional sound’s audience. Brinkley sustained enormous popularity despite prosecution by the Federal Government. He ran twice for Governor of Kansas, losing on one bid despite having the most votes.
Written by Dr. Sydney Blanshard Flower, New Thought editor and author of books on Hypnotism, and collaborator of William Walker Atkinson, the text contains much of Brinkley’s typical self-promotion from the slogan “ALL ENERGY IS SEX ENERGY” to anecdotal “cures” for dementia, childlessness, and a lack of vigor.
8vo, [1]-92 + 3pp ads. Green cloth bound boards with title, author, and image of “Winged Victory” printed in silver on the front board. Front and back boards worn, scratching on printed image. Bumping to top boards and board fore-edges. Bottom of spine cocked. Marbled pastedowns and endpapers, former booksellers sticker on front pastedown. 6 electrotyped photographs of Dr. J.R. Brinkley, patients, operations, and Milford hospital included. Good condition.
If you liked this book, you might also like this additional book by Dr. Brinkley himself, “The Brinkley Operation“.
