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*The Medical Messiahs: Chapter 18
<http://www.quackwatch.org/13Hx/MM/18.html>*, 20/11/2004
The professional foes of quackery had never been beguiled into thinking
quackery dead or even moribund. They met too many cases in their
day-by-day routine. Regulators at the FDA, the FTC, the Post Office
Department, officials at the AMA, the American Cancer Society, the
*Arthritis* and Rheumatism Foundation, the National Better Business
Bureau, all recognized that quackery was very much alive. But even they,
in the mid-1950's, began to exhibit some surprise at quackery's
immensity and truculence. That the "good old days" of quackery were
still, "to a very great extent," extant in 1955 impressed the Food and
Drug Commissioner as an "amazing fact." That medical mail frauds had
never before been so great in compass struck the Postmaster General in
1957 as a matter of awesome import. That so many arthritics were being
deceived by quackery to such a great degree in 1959 seemed to an
*Arthritis* and Rheumatism Foundation researcher "astonishing." When the
separate pieces of pseudo-medical deception were put together by one of
the first of a new wave of nostrum muckraking journalists, the total
cost to the American public came to a billion dollars a year .

Voluntary health associations also responded with reinvigorated efforts
to expose and oppose quackery's growing menace. Especially significant
were continuing campaigns by the American Cancer Society and the
*Arthritis* and Rheumatism Foundation. In 1955 the American Cancer
Society created a Committee on Quackery. Desiring to place emphasis on
unproved methods rather than on unorthodox persons, and wishing to
remain open-minded about the possibility that a valuable agent might
come from an unlikely source, the Society soon changed the name to the
Committee on New and Unproved Methods of Cancer Treatment. Information
was gathered on medically unrecognized drugs and regimens vended for use
in cancer therapy which had been on the market for years or were newly
appearing. A similar catalogue had been in the process of compilation
since 1950 through the investigations of the Committee on Cancer
Diagnosis and Therapy of the National Research Council. In 1957 this
committee was dissolved, and its data were transferred to the American
Cancer Society's growing storehouse of information. On the basis of this
evidence, the committee began the issuance of a series of factual, sober
reports, to the medical profession and to the public. No unheralded
miracle treatments for cancer were discovered. Reports invariably
concluded, "After careful study of the literature and other information
available to it, the American Cancer Society has found no acceptable
evidence that treatment with . . . results in any objective benefit in
the treatment of cancer in human beings."

*Arthritis* quackery shared abundantly in the new boom days of
pseudo-medicine. In one year a single firm spent as much money to
promote its *arthritis* medicine over network television-the sum was
$800,000-as the *Arthritis* and Rheumatism Foundation dispensed for
*arthritis* research. Like the American Cancer Society, the Foundation
sought to intensify its campaign of educating the public against hazards
inherent in self-treatment. As part of this campaign, the Foundation
sponsored the first systematic study, with respect to a single disease,
of the magnitude of the problem.

Excruciatingly painful, *arthritis* drove its victims to almost any
expedient in the hope of relief. For the major forms of the disease,
professional medicine had found no cure. Frequently the disease waxed
and waned in intensity. If a sufferer had used a specious drug or device
just prior to a period of remission, he credited the treatment with his
relief and often became an enthusiastic proponent for the treatment
among other *arthritis* victims. Since 11 million Americans-one out of
every 15-had *arthritis*, the potential market for misrepresented wares
was great. Some forms of *arthritis* become worse as the victims advance
in age, so the growing ranks of America's senior citizens proved
especially vulnerable to this form of quackery .

A conservative estimate, Miss Walrad concluded, of the annual sum spent
by *arthritis* sufferers for proprietary products (excluding plain
aspirin) and for treatment at clinics and spas amounted to $435 million.
Over half of this amount, she wrote, some $252 million a year, was
wasted, spent on drugs and devices whose value was misrepresented. Five
million of the nation's 11 million *arthritis* victims fell prey to such
deceptions.

In the pages of her book, Miss Walrad proceeded to describe many of the
exotic drugs, "glorified aspirins," food supplements, devices, treatment
centers' books of advice, either harmful and worthless or oversold with
exaggerated promises, which contributed to the quarter-of-a-billion
annual *arthritis* cheat.

Building on the solid factual basis of Miss Walrad's research, the
*Arthritis* and Rheumatism Foundation enlarged the scope of its
publicity. With press releases and speaking tours by its officials,
especially by Dr. Ronald W. Lamont-Havers, its medical director, the
Foundation sought to apprise the nation about the magnitude of
*arthritis* quackery. Through a steady flow of Medical Department Memos
and Product Bulletins to its local chapters, the Foundation strove to
increase similar educational efforts on the regional level." .

But as the foes of pseudo-medicine surveyed the battleground, they
questioned seriously whether the tide was running in their favor. While
injunctions stopped new interstate shipments of medical gadgetry,
hundreds of quack devices remained in use by deluded or unscrupulous
practitioners, who seemed to have no trouble finding eager patients. As
old promotions of futile remedies for treating cancer, *arthritis*, and
alleged nutritional deficiencies were brought under control, new ones
took their place. Nutri-Bio became a national mania. Creating a sales
force built like a military hierarchy, the Nutri-Bio general staff had
soon enlisted an army of salesmen that outnumbered all the employees of
the Food and Drug Administration by a ratio of 40 to one. Dan Dale
Alexander's *Arthritis* and Common Sense, a book of "worthless advice"
in Miss Walrad's judgment, soared to the best-seller list and was read
by at least a million and a half arthritics, then reached more through
serialization in the press. Krebiozen was rising to the level of the
most publicized unorthodox cancer treatment in the whole span of
American history. Brought to this country from Argentina by two Yugoslav
brothers named Durovic, Krebiozen, a whitish powder said to have been
extracted from the blood of horses which had been injected with a
micro-organism responsible for "lumpy jaw" in cattle, was presented by
its promoters as a cancer cure. It won the dogged allegiance of one of
the nation's outstanding scientists, Dr. Andrew Ivy, and of Senator Paul
Douglas, although the American Cancer Society considered its claims
unproved. While insisting upon governmental tests, the Durovics and Dr.
Ivy resisted meeting the National Cancer Institute's testing criteria,
criteria which Dr. Ivy had earlier helped formulate. Cancer victims who
thought they had been helped by Krebiozen developed into a vocal
pressure group at least as powerful as that which had petitioned and
picketed for Hoxsey .

To the National Congress on Medical Quackery during October 1961 came
some 700 men and women, from state medical societies and licensing
boards, Better Business Bureaus and trade associations, federal and
state agencies, medical and pharmacy and nursing schools, health
insurance companies, research institutes, women's clubs, societies
concerned with *arthritis*, cancer, diabetes, nutrition.

George Larrick, "Our Unfinished Business," FDC Law MI., 10 (Mar. 1955),
168; Arthur Summerfield, cited in Post Office Dept. release, May 12,
1957; Ruth Walrad, The Misrepresentation of *Arthritis* Drugs and
Devices in the United States (N.Y., 1960), 98; N.Y. Post, May 20, 1957.

Kenneth N. Anderson, "What You Should Know about Phony *Arthritis*
Remedies," Today's Health, 39 (July 1961), 32-33; Walrad, The
Misrepresentation of *Arthritis* Drugs, 1-4, 67-71.

Ibid., 67-100; *Arthritis* and Rheumatism Foundation Memos, Sep. 29,
1958-Sep. 15, 1960; Committee on *Arthritis* Advertising of the
*Arthritis* and Rheumatism Foundation, Product Bulletins, May 11,
1961-June 15, 1962, provided by the Foundation.

George P. Larrick to author, Apr. 21, 1964; "A Background Paper on
Krebiozen from the American Cancer Society," June 19, 1959; "Unproven
Methods of Cancer Treatment: Report on the Current Status of Krebiozen,"
Ca-A Cancer Jnl. for Clinicians, 13 (1963), 76-78; Warren R. Young,
"What Ever Happened to Dr. Ivy," Life, 57 (Oct. 9, 1964), 11off.;
interview with Morris Fishbein, May 15, 1961; NBBB Report, Oct. 25 and
Nov. 9, 1961; FDA news releases, Nov. 27 and Dec. 7, 1961; Newsweek, 58
(July 31, 1961), 60; James L. Trawick (FDA), "Modem Faces of Quackery,"
typed copy of Apr. 15, 1966, speech; Walrad, The Misrepresentation of
*Arthritis* Drugs, 79; Ernest Havemann, "No More a Headache, Book
Business Booms," Life, 50 (May 12, 1961), 117; Unproven Methods of
Cancer Treatment, 62-64.

*Glucosamine for Arthritis: The Evidence Is Conflicting
<http://www.quackwatch.org/01QuackeryRelatedTopics/DSH/glucosamine.html>*,
7/4/2006
Glucosamine for *Arthritis*: The Evidence Is Conflicting

Glucosamine for *Arthritis*:

Osteo*arthritis* (OA), the most widespread type of *arthritis*, is a
degenerative disease of the joints. Although sometimes capable of
causing acute inflammation, it is most commonly a "wear-and-tear"
disease involving degeneration of joint cartilage and formation of bony
spurs within various joints. Trauma to the joints, repetitive
occupational usage, and obesity are risk factors. Most people over 60
years of age have this affliction to some extent, with approximately 16
million sufferers requiring medical care. The main goal of treatment is
to relieve pain.

Human studies have shown that either one may relieve *arthritis* pain
and stiffness with fewer side effects than conventional *arthritis*
drugs. But two problems remain. First, there has not been enough
high-quality or long-range research to determine whether their use is
practical. Second, because dietary supplement manufacture is not
regulated, product quality (especially of chondroitin products) is not
assured.

Ignore any practitioner or seller who promises a "miracle cure" for
*arthritis*. Never buy a dietary supplement in response to a
solicitation by mail or though s radio or television ad.

*Statement of Federal Trade Commission
<http://www.quackwatch.org/01QuackeryRelatedTopics/Hearing/ftc.html>*,
13/9/2001
Mr. Chairman and members of the Committee, I am Howard Beales, Director
of the Bureau of Consumer Protection, of the Federal Trade Commission. I
am pleased to have this opportunity to provide information concerning
the Commission's efforts to ensure the truthfulness and accuracy of
marketing for health products and services. My comments will focus in
particular on our work to combat fraudulent claims for products marketed
as treatments or cures for serious diseases, many of which are
particularly prevalent among elder citizens, including cancer, heart
disease, and *arthritis*. (1)

The mission of the Federal Trade Commission is to prevent unfair
competition and to protect consumers from unfair or deceptive acts or
practices in the marketplace. As part of this mission, the Commission
has a longstanding and active program to combat fraudulent and deceptive
advertising claims for health products. (2) Since the fall of 1997, the
Commission has filed twenty-seven cases against companies using false or
deceptive claims to market unproven products that allegedly cure such
ailments as cancer, *arthritis*, sleep apnea, impotence, osteoporosis,
or circulatory diseases.

We believe these efforts are important because health fraud often
targets a very vulnerable segment of our population -- those suffering
from serious or incurable health conditions and diseases. The victims
are often fearful and desperate. As one commentator observed, "t is
difficult to explain, and often impossible to comprehend, the degree of
suffering seen in some cancerous conditions, cases of *arthritis*, and
certain nervous disorders."

The initial phase of Operation Cure.All consisted of two Internet surfs
(9) conducted in 1997 and 1998. As a result of these surfs we found over
1600 sites world-wide making questionable claims for products marketed
as treatments for heart disease, cancer, HIV/AIDS, diabetes,
*arthritis*, and multiple sclerosis.

targeting companies that market a variety of devices, herbal products,
and other dietary supplements to treat or cure cancer, *arthritis*,
Alzheimer's, diabetes and many other diseases. Among the products for
which marketers made unsubstantiated health benefit claims were a DHEA
hormonal supplement, St. John's Wort, various multi-herbal supplements,
colloidal silver, comfrey, and a variety of electrical therapy devices. (10)

We cannot list all 650 diseases that colloidal silver is effective
against but here is a list of some of the common ones: Common cold,
stomach ulcers, acne, burns, shingles, *arthritis*, strep, tuberculosis
. . . (colloidal silver)

This formula is a "power house" and has been used on (and restored to
health), cancer of the spine, *arthritis*, and polio, and has helped
rebuild torn cartilage and sinews, fractures, etc. etc..." (product
containing comfrey)

The Commission recognizes that the primary goal of consumer protection
is to prevent consumers from being injured. For that reason, the
Commission maintains a comprehensive consumer education program. Today
we are releasing a publication produced with the FDA, called "Miracle
Health Claims: Add a Dose of Skepticism." This brochure provides
specific information about the efficacy and safety of popular products
as well as information about spotting and avoiding health fraud. Another
brochure, "Who Cares: Sources of Information About Health Care Products
and Services," published jointly with the National Association of
Attorneys General, informs consumers about where they can go for
information about *arthritis* cures, alternative medicine, and other
health issues, and where they can file complaints about health fraud.
The Commission also works with other federal agencies, like the
Administration on Aging, and organizations like the AARP, to get our
health fraud messages to older audiences.

9 In an Internet surf, participants use common search engines to find
relevant Internet sites based on a set of predetermined search terms,
for example, "cancer therapy." Once a site is identified, it is
forwarded to a collection center, where the site is reviewed again to
verify that it satisfies the selection criteria. In the two health
claims surfs the FTC organized, the selection criteria were whether the
site appeared to be making questionable claims that the product or
service being offered was effective in the treatment, prevention or cure
of cancer, *arthritis*, heart disease, HIV/AIDS, diabetes, or multiple
sclerosis.

10 Press releases for Operation Cure.All cases filed this year are
available at http://www.ftc.gov/opa/2001/06/cureall.htm and
http://www.ftc.gov/opa/2001/07/chrisenter.htm. Cases filed this year
include Panda Herbal Int'l, Inc., No. C-4018 (Aug. 8, 2001) (consent)
(St. John's Wort and Herb Veil 8 marketed as treatment for HIV/AIDS and
skin cancer, respectively); ForMor, Inc., No. C-4021 (Aug. 8, 2001)
(consent) (St. John's Wort marketed as treatment for HIV/AIDS; and
colloidal silver and shark cartilage marketed as treatments for cancer
and *arthritis*, among many other diseases); MaxCell Bioscience, Inc.,
No. C-4017 (Aug. 8, 2001) (consent) (multi-ingredient product containing
DHEA marketed to reverse aging and prevent age-related diseases);
Michael Forrest d/b/a Jaguar Enterprises of Santa Ana, No. C-4020 (Aug.
8, 2001) (consent) (miracle herbs and black box, magnetic pulser, and
Beck-Rife units marketed as treatments for cancer and *arthritis*);
Robert C. Spencer d/b/a Aaron Company, No. C-4019 (Aug. 8, 2001)
(consent) (colloidal silver marketed as treatment for cancer and many
other diseases); FTC v. Western Dietary Prods. Co. (Skookum), C01-0818R,
supra, note 5 (herbal cure packages and "zappers" marketed as treatments
for cancer); FTC v. Western Botanicals, Inc., supra, note 6 (comfrey);
FTC v. Christopher Enterprises, Inc., supra,

11 Body Systems Technology, Inc., No. C-3895 (Sept. 7, 1999) (consent).
Cat's Claw was promoted primarily as an effective treatment for cancer,
HIV/AIDS, and *arthritis*. Copies of all Operation Cure.All cases are
available at the FTC's Website, www.ftc.gov.

13 John Sneed and Melinda Sneed d/b/a *Arthritis* Pain Care Center, No.
C-3896 (Sept.

No. C-3942 (May 16, 2000) (consent); EHP Products, Inc., No. C-3940)
(May 16, 2000) (consent). CMO was marketed to treat *arthritis*.

Magnetic Therapeutic Technologies and Pain Stops Here marketed magnetic
devices to treat or alleviate numerous medical problems and diseases,
including cancer, liver disease, *arthritis* and high blood pressure.

American Urological Corp., 98-CV-2199 (N.D. Ga. 1999) (Stipulated
Permanent Injunction); shark cartilage as a treatment for cancer and
*arthritis*, Nutrivida, Inc., No. C-3826 (Sept. 16, 1998) (consent); a
powdered nutritional supplement consisting of wheat germ, wheat bran,
soybean extract, and seaweed extract as a treatment for rheumatism and
to prevent aging, Venegas, Inc., No. C-3781 (Jan. 27, 1998) (consent); a
topical spray consisting of oils, vitamins, and trace ingredients as a
treatment for sleep apnea, Med Gen, Inc., File No. 002 3211 (Mar.

29, 2001) (consent subject to final approval); a natural toxic purifier
as a treatment for depression and *arthritis*, Mega Systems Int'l Inc.,
No. C-3811 (June 8, 1998) (consent); a mixture of vitamins and plant
derivatives as a treatment for circulatory problems, hemorrhoids and
varicose veins, Efficient Labs, Inc., No. C-3768 (Sept. 19, 1997)
(consent); and a mixture of camphor, chondroitan sulfate, and
glucosamine sulfate for the treatment of severe pain, SmartScience, No.
C-3980 (Nov. 2, 2000) (consent). Sales for the challenged products
totaled in the tens of millions of dollars.

*Criminal Prosecution of General Nutrition (1984-1986)
<http://www.quackwatch.org/02ConsumerProtection/FDAActions/gnc.html>*,
30/1/2004
Between 1980 and 1981, General Nutrition, its president (Gary Daum), and
two vice-presidents conspired to purchase EPO from Efamol Ltd. and to
promote and sell it under the name Gammaprim for the prevention and
treatment of high blood pressure, *arthritis*, multiple sclerosis, and
other ailments.

In 1980, one of the defendants received a letter from Horrobin
suggesting that Efamol products be marketed without FDA approval.
Referring to EPO's supposed beneficial effects, the letter stated,
"Obviously you could not advertise Efamol for these purposes but equally
obviously there are ways of getting the information across." Subsequent
company memos described an elaborate promotional scheme that included
newspaper articles, radio talk shows, and publications for use in
General Nutrition's retail stores. In addition, oral claims were made by
retail employees to prospective customers. FDA investigators posing as
customers at various stores in western New York State were told that
Gammaprim would be better for treatment of high blood pressure than the
prescription drugs Nitrostat or Diuril, and that it was good for
*arthritis* as well.

10. It was a part of the conspiracy that the defendants would promote,
market, distribute and sell Gammaprim, and would cause the same to be
promoted, marketed, distributed and sold, for the prevention,
mitigation, treatment and cure of various diseases, such as
hypertension, *arthritis* and multiple sclerosis, by virtue of which
Gammaprim became a drug within the meaning of Title 21, United States
Code, Section 321(g). This promotion, marketing, distribution and
selling was accomplished by the following means:

13. It was a further part of the conspiracy that the defendants would
cause the misbranding, within the meaning of Title 21, United States
Code, Section 352(f), of Gammaprim, while Gammaprim was held for sale
after shipment in interstate commerce at their facilities within the
Western District of New York at Boulevard Mall, Summit Park Mall,
Chautauqua Mall and Towne Mall, in that the defendants would promote
Gammaprim for the prevention, mitigation, treatment and cure of
hypertension, *arthritis* and multiple sclerosis, among other diseases
of man, but fail to provide in the labeling of Gammaprim adequate
directions for the use of Gammaprim in such diseases, in violation of
Title 21, United States Code, Sections 331(k) and 333(a).

1. On or about May 9, 1980, David F. Horrobin wrote a letter to
defendant DAVID E. WALSH, proposing the test marketing of Efamol
primrose oil "without FDA approval", and referring to the effects of
Efamol on blood pressure, *arthritis* and alcoholism, among other
conditions and diseases: stating, "obviously you could not advertise
Efamol for these purposes but equally obviously there are ways of
getting the information across."

2. On or about July 11, 1980, defendant DAVID E. WALSH wrote a
memorandum to defendant GARY A. DAUM, with a copy to David B. Shakarian,
then Chairman of the Board of defendant GENERAL NUTRITION, INCORPORATED,
stating, "Dr. Horrobin and other physicians who have worked in the area
of nutritional treatment of alcoholism, eczema, and *arthritis* are
willing to write articles and work with GNC in placing news releases in
magazines and newspapers as well as making appearances to support the
product."

5. On or about November 19, 1980, defendant DAVID E. WALSH wrote a
memorandum to defendant GEORGE E. McTURK, with copies to David B.
Shakarian and defendant GARY A. DAUM, suggesting that he consider using
booklets known as "Self Help Guides" in the promotion of Gammaprim,
stating "The one's I am sending you are for acne, *arthritis*, heart
attacks and high cholesterol, menstrual problems, multiple sclerosis,
obesity and schizophrenia

10. On or about March 2, 1981 defendant GARY A. DAUM wrote a letter to
David F. Horrobin, with a copy to defendant DAVID E. WALSH,
acknowledging receipt of Horrobin's letter of February 21, 1981, and
suggesting the GLA and DGLA booklet would be more successful in
defendant GENERAL NUTRITION, INCORPORATED's retail stores if the front
of the booklet referenced "*arthritis*, heart attacks, etc." to attract
consumer attention.

... A NEW GNC EXCLUSIVE! Gammaprim OIL OF EVENING PRIMROSE capsules...
Made from the Oil of the Evening Primrose -- one of the world's richest
sources of Gamma Linolenic Acid, the essential fatty acid which is the
direct predecessor for the body's manufacture of prostaglandins.
Prostaglandins help regulate and control an unusually wide range of body
functions including blood pressure and cholesterol levels. Also new
studies are being conducted on the effects of Oil of Evening Primrose on
premenstrual syndrome, *arthritis*, heart disease, and asthma.

27. On or about October 9, 1981 at the Chautauqua Mall facility,
defendant GENERAL NUTRITION, INCORPORATED, through its retail sales
employees, sold Gammaprim to Investigator Patricia L. Jahnes, who was
posing as a customer, telling Investigator Jahnes that the product was
good for *arthritis* and high blood pressure.

(a) within the meaning of Title 21, United States Code, Section
352(f)(1) in that they did represent and cause the representation of
Gammaprim as effective in the prevention, mitigation and treatment of
multiple sclerosis, hypertension and *arthritis*, and failed to provide
in the labeling of Gammaprim adequate directions for such uses;

(a) within the meaning of Title 21, United States Code, Section
352(f)(1) in that they did represent and cause the representation of
Gammaprim as effective in the prevention, mitigation and treatment of
hypertension and *arthritis*, and failed to provide in the labeling of
Gammaprim adequate directions for such uses;

(a) within the meaning of Title 21, United States Code, Section
352(f)(1) in that they did represent and cause the representation of
Gammaprim as effective in the prevention, mitigation and treatment of
hypertension and *arthritis*, and failed to provide in the labeling of
Gammaprim adequate directions for such uses;

(a) within the meaning of Title 21, United States Code, Section
352(f)(1) in that they did represent and cause the representation of
Gammaprim as effective in the prevention, mitigation and treatment of
hypertension and *arthritis*, and failed to provide in the labeling of
Gammaprim adequate directions for such uses;

(a) within the meaning of Title 21, United States Code, Section
352(f)(1) in that they did represent and cause the representation of
Gammaprim as effective in the prevention, mitigation and treatment of
hypertension and *arthritis*, and failed to provide in the labeling of
Gammaprim adequate directions for such uses:

(a) within the meaning of Title 21, United States Code, Section
352(f)(1) in that they did represent and cause the representation of
Gammaprim as effective in the prevention, mitigation and treatment of
hypertension and *arthritis*, and failed to provide in the labeling of
Gammaprim adequate directions for such uses;

*Indictment of James Gary Davidson
<http://www.quackwatch.org/01QuackeryRelatedTopics/Cancer/davidsonindictment.html>*,
20/6/2001
2. Defendant JAMES GARY DAVIDSON was President, Director and beneficial
owner and true party in interest of MACROTECH. As such, he had chief
responsibility for the direction, operation, activities, control, and
management of said entity, including its promotion and sale of
"investments" in various medical and other ventures, including, but not
limited to, the falsely claimed effective treatment and diagnosis of
cancer, and the falsely claimed effective treatment of various other
diseases such as multiple sclerosis, *arthritis*, and Acquired Immune
Deficiency Syndrome (AIDS).

4. Defendant THOMAS S. SAWYER was Vice President or Director of
MACROTECH. As such, he had responsibility for the direction and
management of said entity including the promotion and sale of
"investments" in various medical and other ventures, including, but not
limited to, the falsely claimed effective treatment and diagnosis of
cancer, and the falsely claimed effective treatment of various other
diseases such as multiple sclerosis, *arthritis*, and AIDS.

As such, he promoted the sale of "investments" in various medical and
other ventures, including, but not limited to, the falsely claimed
effective treatments for diseases such as *arthritis* and AIDS.

9. It was an object of the conspiracy that the defendants by means of
various false and fraudulent pretenses, representations and promises,
would promote and represent MACROTECH as being a scientifically advanced
company capable of investigating and offering the falsely claimed
effective treatments for certain diseases including but not limited to
cancer, multiple sclerosis, *arthritis*, coronary heart disease, AIDS,
emphysema, Alzheimer's, and muscular dystrophy, thereby unlawfully
enriching themselves.

10. It was an object of the conspiracy that the defendants would
solicitor direct the solicitation and acceptance of payments and money
from individuals and severely ill victims in the scheme and artifice to
defraud for the purchase of the rights of falsely claimed advanced
scientific medical technology or medical treatments, including, but not
limited to, cancer cure treatments, *arthritis* treatments, and other
disease treatments.

12. From on or about June 1, 1995, the exact date being unknown to the
Grand Jury, to on or about the date of this indictment, in the Western
District of Tennessee and elsewhere, the hereinafter referred to as
defendants generally or by specific name, being aided, abetted,
counseled, and induced each by the other, knowingly, willfully, and
unlawfully, devised and intended to devise a scheme and artifice to
defraud and to obtain money by means of false and fraudulent pretenses,
representations, and promises from various persons interested in the
purchase of rights to the falsely claimed medical technology and medical
treatments for diseases, including but riot limited to, cancer cure
treatment, *arthritis* treatment, multiple sclerosis treatment and other
medical treatments and scientific technology knowing full well said
pretenses, representations, and promises would be and were false and
fraudulent when made.

... Earth:  (n) A solid substance, much desired by the seasick.