The Rowdy Readers met by conference call on January 22nd to discuss Charlatan by Pope Brock after technical issues with Zoom and FaceTime. The group admired their ability to improvise when needed. Brock, also the author of Indiana Gothic and Another Fine Mess, tells the story of John Brinkley, a notorious medical fraud whose signature procedure involved implanting goat testicles to treat impotence. The book explores Brinkley’s life, the early days of the AMA and medical certification, and the rise of radio advertising and infomercials. While regulations have improved since Brinkley’s time, the group noted that people still fall for questionable treatments. They enjoyed learning about this fascinating historical period.
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