18 min listen
The True Scandal of Lydia E. Pinkham’s Vegetable Compound
The True Scandal of Lydia E. Pinkham’s Vegetable Compound
ratings:
Length:
37 minutes
Released:
Apr 14, 2023
Format:
Podcast episode
Description
It could cure any 'female ailment' - even cancer - said the adverts. But Lydia E. Pinkham’s Vegetable Compound was, in fact, just a concoction of herbs and alcohol of no proven medicinal merit. That didn't stop desperate American women from buying bottles of the stuff - and writing to Lydia Pinkham for medical advice.
Why did her customers shun 'expert' doctors and opt instead for quack medicines? And why, when Lydia Pinkham finally came in for criticism, did no one question the efficacy of her vegetable compound?
For a full list of sources for this episode, go to timharford.com.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Why did her customers shun 'expert' doctors and opt instead for quack medicines? And why, when Lydia Pinkham finally came in for criticism, did no one question the efficacy of her vegetable compound?
For a full list of sources for this episode, go to timharford.com.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Released:
Apr 14, 2023
Format:
Podcast episode
Titles in the series (100)
Cautionary Tales Presents: TED Talk Daily: In this special episode of Cautionary Tales, we feature Tim Harford's TED Talk Daily from 2018. by Cautionary Tales with Tim Harford