CURE-ALL OR QUACKERY?
THE ABRAMS MACHINE IN MEDICINE
Amazing Assertions of Auckland Doctor
"MIRACLE MACHINE" MAY BE DANGEROUS DEVICE!
Some amazing assertions have been made as to the curative powers of a machine invented in America by Dr. Albert Abrams, a physician who was one time Professor of Biology at the Stanford University. Since this machine has been introduced to New Zealand, and such extravagant claims have been made as to its efficacy in curing diseases — including cancer, consumption and syphilis — its properties, real, invented, or imaginary, should be made the subject of. Government Investigation. Its potentialities for good or for for beneficial use or pure charlatanism, are too great to be ignored or to be left to the exploitation, honest or dishonest, of private individuals. Its introduction has opened up a new era in preventive, or curative medicine or a new era for the enrichment of the quackery that is so harmful and so rife in this country. It is not within the province of the lay mind to say which, but since the health and pockets of the community are so deeply and widely concerned — for the sick, like the poor, are always with us — it should certainly be
THE IMMEDIATE DUTY OF THE GOVERNMENT to have the matter investigated most thoroughly by competent and reputable medical men. This conclusion is forced on "Truth" after listening to a lecture on "The Most Revolutionary Discovery of the Age — the Dr Abrams Machine for the Diagnosing and Treatment of Disease." This lecture was given in Auckland recently under the auspices of the New Zealand Labour Party, and was attended by five or six hundred people — many of whom were probably influenced in favour of the machine under review, and might presumably be reckoned on to "give it a trial" by the very comprehensive claims made for if by the lecturer. It may be mentioned as a matter of particular interest that Dr. Dundas McKenzie is a graduate of an American University. Further, it should he pointed out, the members of the British Medical Association — like their brothers of the American Medical Association — are almost, to a man entirely in dispute with the claims made for this cure-all machine, and have made public in the Press warnings against it, Furthermore, the B.M.A. delegated two of its members to investigate the machine, but, it is understood, Dr. Dundas McKenzie, who is not a member of the B.M.A., did not see his way clear to allow this investigation. But before dealing with this lecture of Dr. McKenzie's, we will proceed to give something of the history of the machine in question.
The inventor, Dr. Albert Adams, is said to be an exceedingly rich man — a millionaire — and an atmosphere of romance has been woven around his "discovery." Some years ago, it is set forth, Dr Abrams lost his wife, who died of cancer, notwithstanding that she was treated by the best medical skill known at the time. On this (or was it two wives he lost by cancer?) the bereaved husband
SWORE THAT HE WOULD NOT REST until he discovered a cure for the scourge which had robbed him of a dearly loved wife — or two! dearly loved wives, as the case may be. He was visiting Paris when he met a famous medical friend, Dr. Gustave Le Bon, who was then interested in atomics. The doctor assured Dr "Abrams" 'that everything — even glass or chinaware — continually gave off radio-energy, and that everything had its own separate radiation. "If that is so, every disease must have its own separate rate of radiation," observed Dr. Abrams. "That is for you to find out," said Gustave. Abrams then set himself to find out — and it is claimed for Abrams that when he sets out to find out anything, well he finds out, and that's all about it. So he found out he could measure the radiation rate of some 120 diseases, and that each of those diseases could be cured by the application to the body of that very same rate of radiation! Therefore, it is claimed, Dr. Abrams is going full-steam ahead curing those diseases — and hiring out his machines to allow other men to cure, too.
But this is not all. Possibly more marvellous than the machine which cures, is the machine which can tell whether a man three thousand miles away has one, any, or all of the diseases for which "a rate of radiation has been discovered." According to literature sold.at the lecture at 1/6 a copy (published in America at 6 cents per copy), Dr. Abrams can tell from a few drops of blood, posted him from as far as 3000 miles away, what disease the man it was taken from is suffering from, exactly where it is located, to what extent it has attained, and how long he has had it — and wire to the man who has an Abrams machine 3000 miles away to get busy on the cure by the administrations of so many radiations. "Some machine." as our American cousins would say. And Dr. Abrams can tell all this by the investigation of a drop of blood by his diagnosing machine in an average of eight minutes time! Assuredly, this is, as is claimed, the most marvellous discovery of the age and the most beneficient to humanity. That is, it would be the most marvellous, if what is claimed is true, and it would be the most beneficent if Dr. Abrams would give his treatment and distribute his machine free. But though Dr. Abrams is a millionaire, he doesn't give free treatment or give away machines. He continues in the interests of science and suffering humanity to
GATHER IN THE DOLLARS at a great rate. And there are apparently people in other parts of the world that are after the dollars, too — merely incidentally, in the performance of public benefaction, of course. Well, no one will grudge the dollars if the machine will do what is claimed for it. But does it? If it does governments should acquire it for the use of the poor afflicted. There would then be no need for our costly public hospitals, and all but the victims of mad motorists would live to astonishing old ages. If the machine will do what is claimed for it, then governments should see that it is not exploited for callous commercial profit, and to the disappointment, defrauding and added misery of the afflicted. "Truth" is open to conviction, but it desires that the New Zealand Government will have the matter investigated.
Now, regarding the lecture delivered by Dr. Dundas Mackenzie. The doctor made no bones about his ideas on the matter. There are those who say that Dr. Abrams is a commercialised vulture and an unscrupulous charlatan — men just arrived from the United States have told us that Good Americans say this about their countryman, and among those who say so are thousands of members of the American Medical Association, which Association heartily denounces the Abrams machine, and considers it a dangerous tool of charlatanry. But Dr. Dundas Mackenzie declares that Dr. Abrams is a public benefactor and the friend of humanity — though he made no mention of the fact that although Dr. Abrams (as he himself told his audience) is a millionaire, the very literature sold there that night is soliciting subscriptions for an Abrams Machine Fund! However, this by the way. Dr. Dundas Mackenzie solemnly assured his audience that the Abrams Machine did all that was claimed for it — and that he had such a machine and was using it with wonderful results. He claimed, clearly and explicitly, that
HE HAD CURED CANCER for which other New Zealand surgeons had desired to operate. Further, he claimed that one Waikato family, which had never been a week or a fortnight without a doctor in the house, had come to him for treatment. He treated the whole family since when they had only had a doctor in the house once in two years. One cancer of the breast (for which another doctor had insisted on amputation of the breast) he had cured in a little over five weeks, sending the patient home well — to confound her family medico. His (the Abrams) machine could tell, not only whether a person had cancer or consumption, but whether that person was likely to develop cancer or consumption — or other disease — and the machine could so treat that person so as to prevent the possibility of developing those diseases.
That very claim of Dr Mackenzie, which sounds so amazingly extravagant, may be fully believed by the doctor; but such a claim is the most pressing argument for government investigation to protect the public from the rapacious and callous hands of quacks and charlatans. What is to prevent any unscrupulous persons from getting bold of a machine and exploiting people? What is to prevent any unregistered and uncertificated "quack" from inviting persons with ills real or imaginary to have a "diagnosis" made by this machine — and to mercilessly bleed patients whom they have frightened into believing that they have latent cancer, consumption or some other deadly disease. In other words, what a glorious opportunity to reap in unending harvests of guineas by curing people of — nothing! And Dr. Dundas Mackenzie made this grave charge against his fellow medical practicioners of Auckland: That he knew of three patients in whose cases his machine had diagnosed cancer; that these patients had gone to other doctors for a second opinion; that these doctors had said, "What rot; nothing of the sort, that man is trying to frighten you!" That two of these patients had died of inoperable cancer which (presumably) his machine could have cured, and the third was dying. There was no other inference to be taken from this serious statement but that
TWO PEOPLE HAD DIED, and one was dying because they had been persuaded by other doctors, who gave false diagnosis, that his correct diagnosis, was wrong. This belief was strengthened when Dr Dundas Mackenzie ridiculed existing methods of diagnosis, declaring that the best men were only about fifty per cent. accurate, and asserted that while other doctors were working in the dark, the diagnosis of the Abrams machine (and, presumably, the operator of an Abrams machine) was infallible. The doctor further expressed the firm opinion that those doctors who would not adopt the Abrams machine would soon be "looking for jobs," when they would "wake up." This assertion was heartily applauded by the audience, as were all the statements by the. lecturer regarding the cures he had accomplished, and all his jibes at the benighted members of the B.M.A. who were so densely and lamentably ignorant of the powers of the Abrams machine. It is wonderful how popular with some enlightened followers of Labour is any attack on any class which has the audacity to be self-respecting and select.
Now, no doubt Dr. Dundas Mackenzie is persuaded that the Abrams machine is all that is claimed for it. Surely then in the interests of humanity, the doctor will have no objection to
A GOVERNMENT INVESTIGATION of the "Miracle Machine," as it has been called. If it is what it is claimed, it will behove the Government to see that it is brought within the reach of all sick people, for it is before all the duty of any Government to see to the health of its people. But it is possible that Dr. Dundas Mackenzie is mistaken as to the potentialities of the machine. Even doctors are liable to make mistakes (nearly all others do, according to the lecturer, so perhaps even he is as human), and Dr. Dundas Mackenzie may have, in his enthusiasm and desire to be a public benefactor, overvalued this new discovery of the American millionaire. If he has been mistaken or misled ("Truth" cannot undertake to say one way or the other), then the Abrams machine is a most terrible danger. "Truth" very sincerely hopes that the machine is all that is claimed for it — heaven knows that humanity is afflicted sorely by pain and disease! Here is the chance for Dr. Dundas MacKenzie to prove his claim. Let him accept, say two diagnosed cases of cancer, consumption or syphilis previously examined by, say, two other doctors of high standing in the profession, take them and treat them with the Abrams machine, and allow them to be re-examined by the other doctors after treatment. This would effectually settle the merits or demerits of the machine. Will Dr. Dundas Mackenzie demonstrate in the manner suggested? -NZ Truth, 2/6/1923.
WORRY CAUSES DEATH.
DISCOVERER. OF ELECTRICAL TREATMENT
SAN FRANCISCO, Jan. 14. Dr. Albert Abrams, San Francisco physician, who startled the medical world three years ago with the assertion that he could determine the parentage of a child by electrical vibration of a drop of blood in a machine of his own invention, died here last night of bronchial pneumonia.
According to Harry Wirkich, of San Francisco, and: Fred E. Moore, of Portland, Oregon, who attended Dr. Abrams in his last illness, death was hastened by worry over attacks launched in various parts of the United States against his school of medicine.
Dr. Abrams died at. the age of 61, just when he was at what his friends believed to the the pinnacle of his career. He believed that the outstanding achievement of his career was his discovery of what he called the ‘‘electronic method’' of detecting and treating disease.
By his method he claimed he could discover whether the patient had a certain disease, could locate it exactly and establish the correct method of treating it. He claimed particular success in treating cancer. Following his professed discovery of this method, Dr. Abrams founded a school and hundreds of physicians attended his clinics and arrayed themselves with him in a school.
Dr. Abrams’ "machine" for the detection of disease was founded on radioactive principles. He used a human subject for his “antenna” and by a system of dials and electrical currents diagnosed a patient’s illness, he claimed, merely by placing a drop of blood in a magnetic chamber in his “machine.” With the machine, too, Dr. Abrams claimed he could ascertain almost to the day how long a person could live. This he could do, he claimed, by appraising the condition of fatigue existing in the blood.
Once in addressing a group of his physicians he predicted that he himself had about two years to live. Dr. Wirklich said that Abrams had forecast the time of his death almost to the month.
The fight against Dr. Abrams centred in the courts of Jonsboro, Ark., and until two or three days before his death, before he lapsed into coma, he still chafed over this court action and his methods of defence. -Poverty Bay Herald, 27/2/1924.
CLAIM AGAINST A DOCTOR
ALLEGED NEGLIGENCE AND FRAUD
(United Press Association.) AUCKLAND, Aug. 13. At the Supreme Court to-day, before Mr Justice Herdman and a jury of twelve, Marjory Mary Ann Lawrence, of Hamilton, claimed £2000 damages from Dr. H. Dundas Mackenzie, for alleged negligent treatment and alleged false and fraudulent representations made for the purpose of inducing her to undergo such treatment. The plaintiff said the defendant represented himself as a specialist in the treatment of cancer and chronic diseases. She consulted him in regard to a growth on her breasts, and was informed by the defendant that she could be cured by treatment without an operation. She was under the plaintiff’s treatment for about eight weeks at the end of 1922, and for two weeks in March, 1923. The defendant informed her that she had been cured, and that the disease had been removed from the system. In consequence she took no steps to obtain further advice till August, 1923. The defendant informed her, for the first time, in September, 1923, that she was suffering from cancer. In October, 1923, she obtained independent advice that the growth was cancerous, and it was removed by operation. The defendant denied negligence, and claimed that he used all reasonable care and skill. He used what is known as the Abrams system for the diagnosis and treatment of the disease.
The case is proceeding.
AUCKLAND, This Day
In the claim against Dr. Dundas Mackenzie, Dr. Bruce Mackenzie stated in evidence that he visited defendant in response to a general invitation to investigate Abram’s machine. Defendant promised to make some tests of blood submitted by witness, but after much delay defendant refused to carry out his promise, giving as a reason that witness was not an honest investigator. Witness said the principle of the machine was that every disease had its special rate of radio activity and the claim was that the application of this rate would cure disease. Other claims were made such as that it could tell the religion, sex, age and paternity. He classed some of the claims as ridiculous nonsense. He arrived at the conclusion that so far as the method was said to rest upon a recognised scientific basis, the method was an absolute fraud and hopeless.
ALLEGED NEGLIGENT TREATMENT
WAS THERE AN ERROR OF JUDGEMENT?
(BY TELEGRAPH. — PRESS ASSOCIATION.) AUCKLAND, 14th August.
Hearing was continued in the Supreme Court to-day of the claim for £2000 damages made by Mrs. Lawrence against Dr. Dundas MacKenzie, alleging negligence in treatment and false representations.
Dr. Bruce MacKenzie stated in evidence that he visited defendant in response to a general invitation to investigate Abrams's machine. Defendant promised to make some tests of blood submitted by witness, but after much delay defendant refused to carry out his promise, giving as a reason that witness was not an honest investigator. Witness said the principle of the machine was that every disease had its special rate of radio activity, and the claim was that the application of this rate would cure disease. Other claims were made, such as that it could tell religion, sex, age, and paternity. He classed some of the claims as ridiculous nonsense. He arrived at the conclusion that, so far as-the method was said to rest upon a recognised scientific basic, the method was an absolute fraud and hopeless.
Edwin Francis Lawrence, husband of plaintiff, said that his wife did not want to undergo an operation if she could avoid it, but she had never refused to have an operation. Witness at the outset didn't tell defendant that Dr. Joseph had said that the trouble might turn to cancer, but did so later. Defendant then said that she had no cancer whatever.
Dr. Hugh Douglas, surgeon, of Hamilton, said that he had been practising for 28 years and a great many cancer cases had passed through his hands. He diagnosed cancer in the case of Mrs. Lawrence in October, 1923. She was suffering from advanced cancer of the breast, and he advised an immediate operation. He judged that the disease had been present for at least six months, but it might have existed for twelve months or even longer. It was a matter of common medical knowledge that cancer frequently supervened on chronic inflammation of the breast, especially in elderly women. If witness found that chronic inflammation of the breast did not respond to medical treatment in three months at the outside he would resort to surgery. If, after six weeks, the breast became worse he would operate, and if he were not a surgeon, he would advise an operation. A medical man would not do his duty if he did not take this course.
His Honour: "Would you operate to remove cancer or prevent the development of cancer?"
Witness: "Both. I would be afraid of cancer."
"If there were cancer, would an operation be the only course?" — " Yes, with early cancer, I would say so."
Mr. Strang (counsel for plaintiff): "The earlier the operation the greater' chance of success?"
Witness: "Yes."
"Have Mrs. Lawrence's chances of complete recovery been prejudiced by delay?" — " Yes, very much. In an operation for early cancer, if thoroughly done, the chance of recovery is about 40 per cent. In an operation for cancer at the stage reached in Mrs. Lawrence, the chances are reduced by half."
Kenneth Mackenzie, surgeon, said that where cancer was confined to the breast, an operation would result in a cure in about 60 per pent, of cases. He supported this view by quoting from collected papers of the Mayo clinic, 1922, that if all cases of cancer of the breast could be recognised early, 75 to 80 per cent. could be permanently cured. In modern times the operation was practically a safe one; the mortality was not above 1 to 3 per cent..
PLAINTIFF TELLS HER STORY.
Plaintiff stated that when she first saw defendant he took a sample of blood from her ear, and placed it on blotting paper. After examining the blood he said: "You are a lucky woman," adding that there was no cancer and no need to punch holes in her. Defendant stated .that he could cure her without an operation with four or five weeks' treatment. This treatment consisted in sitting on chairs with plates with wire attached upon different parts of her body. After a time she told defendant that she still had pains and asked if she was being cured. He said "Yes." On one occasion he said that the pains were caused by the germs dying hard. After five weeks' treatment defendant told her that, the trouble was cleared up. The swelling on her breast had then increased and she was suffering continuous pain. Subsequently she had three weeks more treatment without relief from pain. She saw defendant four months later, having had no relief in the meanwhile. Defendant advised further treatment, which she underwent. After another examination defendant said there was nothing to worry about, adding that the swelling might take weeks or months to disperse. Later, she wrote to defendant stating that she felt better in general health, but was still worried about her breast. Defendant suggested seeing him again, and she did so. Defendant took another blood test, and then asked her what she had been doing to "get her trouble." Plaintiff replied, "What, trouble?" Defendant said: "Need you ask?" and then said that she had cancer in the breast. He advised her to have an immediate operation. Plaintiff said to defendant: ''What do you mean by saying that I have cancer in my breast? When I came to you months ago you said I had not got cancer" Defendant replied: "Well, you have got it now," and advised her to have her breast off. He said that she might live twelve months or two years. Witness said.: "If I am a doomed woman I'll die with my breasts on." She attended the Hickson Mission at Hamilton without result, and then underwent an operation by Dr. Joseph. She paid defendant about £40. Asked why she had delayed the operation so long, witness said that defendant had stated that it would probably take months to effect a cure.
At this stage, Mr. Johnstone (for defendant) submitted that there was no evidence to go before the jury on the alternative cause of action.
His Honour: "I don't think there is. It is a case of negligence."
FOR THE DEFENCE.
Mr. Dickson, opening for the defence, said that the allegation was a simple one — had defendant been guilty of negligence in performing his duty as a physician? "Defendant had used two methods of diagnosis, the ordinary clinical method of the physician, and as an adjunct the Abrams system of diagnosis. Dr. Mackenzie was not a member of the B.M.A. He was, however, a doctor born in New Zealand, who had practised medicine for twenty to thirty years with vast experience and an unblemished record. When plaintiff was advised in Hamilton she went to defendant. She did not want an operation and she had heard how Dr. Mackenzie had effected cures on the Abrams method. When Dr. Mackenzie saw plaintiff in August, 1922, his diagnosis of chronic mastitis was correct. He treated her for seven days in March. Plaintiff then left, and did not return, so defendant had no chance of observing her condition. Between March, 1923, and August or September, 1923, plaintiff had developed cancer, and. because she developed cancer when not receiving defendant's treatment she claimed £2000 damages. In September, when Dr. Mackenzie again saw plaintiff, he diagnosed correctly. When plaintiff knew that she had cancer she delayed a month before undergoing an operation. Dr. Mackenzie did everything an ordinary physician would do. An error of judgment, counsel submitted, was not negligence. The hearing was again adjourned. -Evening Post, 15/8/1924.
DOCTOR'S BANKRUPTCY.
THE MacKENZIE FAILURE.
CREDITORS' FIRST MEETING.
BIG SURPLUS OF LIABILITIES.
Dundas Mackenzie, medical practitioner, of Auckland, who was made bankrupt, following an Auckland Supreme Court verdict for £2000 damages awarded to Mrs. Lawrence, of Hamilton, met his creditors at the office of the Official Assignee this morning.
Bankrupt submitted a lengthy statement alleging that his failure was due to persecution by the Auckland branch of the British Medical Association. He was submitted to a lengthy cross-examination by Mr. Strang, counsel for the petitioning creditor, and some interesting information was given concerning the doctor's transactions in house property during recent months.
Mr. J. F. W. Dickson appeared for the bankrupt, and Mrs. Lawrence was the only creditor represented.
Bankrupt's schedule showed a deficiency of £3344 3/. His liabilities aggregated £3493 15/ and to meet them were assets of only £149 12/. To unsecured creditors £2273 15/ was shown to be owing and to secured creditors £3290 the estimated value of securities being £1969 leaving a debit balance of £1321. The assets were comprised of book debts estimated to produce £54 12/ and property valued at £95. The unsecured creditors were Marjory Mary Ann Lawrence, of Albert Street, Hamilton, £2200, and the Physico Clinical Company of San Francisco, U.S.A., for rent due on oscilloclasts £73 15/. The secured creditors were the N.Z. Government £450 and N.Z. Insurance Trust Department £800 (estimated value of security £1104, a freehold property at Picton); J. F. W. Dickson, solicitor, Auckland £2000 (estimated value of security £825); and Cavanagh and Co., Ltd., engineers, Auckland £40 (estimated value of security £40.
Bankrupt's written statement set out that he went to America in December 1920 to study the electronic reactions of Abrams and returned in April 1921. In 1922, without any warning his work was attacked in the public press by the B.M.A. The remainder of the statement is composed of assertions attributing his financial failure to persecution by the B.M.A. which association he states prompted an action that he had to settle at a cost of £750 and was responsible for the recent case in which damages of £2000 were awarded. Further the B.M..A. had brought an action directly against him based on his use of the Abrams machine and as a consequence his earning power had been very much curtailed.
Some of the Books Lost. Replying to the Official Assignee, bankrupt said a number of his books were lost when he removed from Symonds Street to Herne Bay. The furniture both in his rooms in Symonds Street and his home at Herne Bay belonged to his present wife. Most of his own furniture had been taken away by his former wife under a deed of trust.
In reply to Mr. Strang, bankrupt could not say whether certain books showed all the moneys received by him during the period covered. There had been three clerks keeping them at different times.
Mr. Strang: At least the payments they do show have been received, and possibly there were more? — I do not know of any others.
Were the sums received paid into the bank? — Not necessarily.
What proportion was banked and what was retained? — It was not a question of proportion.
Mr. Dickson explained that for the purposes of assessing income tax during 1922 and 1923 his own accountant and an official of the department had investigated all the bankrupt's pass books and other accounts available, and the doctor had had to pay £195 income tax.
Bankrupt admitted to Mr. Strang that he went to America, his first trip in 1921, in December, 1922, returning in February of the next year. He was not practising before December, 1920.
Mr. Strang: I think you immediately developed a large practice? — No.
Did you ever state on oath before a medical board that you did? — I do not remember.
Bankrupt stated that he was married the second time in December, 1920. He was under an obligation of alimony in respect of his first wife, both voluntarily and legally, to the extent of £180 annually. The payments were up to date.
Mr. Strang: Do you know how much money your second wife possessed when you married her? — I do not. It was of no interest to mc to find out how much property she had.
The Symonds Street Property. Bankrupt was then examined concerning the acquisition of the property at 98, Symonds Street. This he purchased for £5500, paying £1500 cash and giving a mortgage of £4000 at 6 1/2 per cent for the balance. That was about March, 1923. About three months after this purchase he acquired a dwelling in Marine Parade, Herne Bay, again paying £1500 cash and giving a mortgage to the vendor of £2500 for the balance. In March, 1924, he transferred these properties to his wife in consideration of a sum of £800. He had further encumbered the properties about March to Mr. J. F. W. Dickson for £2000 and further advances.
Mr, Strang: What was the purpose of the £2000 mortgage? — Legal expenses.
Mr. Strang: £2000 for legal expenses? Witness: Practically. A large proportion had already been incurred.
In what connection? — For legal series rendered.
Pressed to explain these services prior to the execution of the mortgage, bankrupt said they arose out of the B.M.A. prosecution.
Mr. Strang: I take you to mean the first action brought by Lomax. Were there any before that?— Yes, the local President of the B.M.A.
In causing an inquiry? — Yes, and other acts.
No part of this £2000 was applied to improving the property or making cash advances? — No.
Mr. Dickson here explained that he would render a full account of his expenses in due course. He had the the assistance of other counsel, and he paid Mr. Myers, K.C., upwards of £500. Bankrupt further explained that he spent about £3000 in improving the Symonds Street property, the expenditure being met partially from the money derived from his practice. Mr. Strang read out a number of payments made to a contractor named N. Cole totalling £1300, and bankrupt said that some of this was for expenditure incurred at the Herne Bay property.
Advances by His Wife.
Asked how the sum of £800 was paid to his wife, bankrupt stated that the money had already been advanced in cash from time to time, while it also represented wages outstanding to his wife. The loans totalled about L560, and the balance of £240 was wages to his wife, who was employed as a nurse at £8 per week.
To further questions, bankrupt stated that his wife had lent him only about £20 before his marriage. He did not know of any records kept of these advances. It was he who suggested that his wife should take over the properties to settle the obligation to her. It was not completely settled, for there were further claims for wages, out he could not tell how much.
Mr. Strang: I take it that at the present time you are owing your wife money for wages. Has she proved, or does she intend to? — I do not know.
At the time you transferred the property to your wife, had you been served with Mrs. Lawrence's writ? Yes.
Will you swear that the transfer had nothing to do with the issue of the writ? I suggest that if the writ had not been issued there would not have been a transfer? — That is not correct.
Questioned for what purposes the money was borrowed from his wife, bankrupt replied for household and business expenses. The Symonds Street practice had not earned sufficient to enable him to carry on. Bankrupt admitted that he had obtained a loan from his sister at Ngaruawahia, but I could not say for how much it was. It had been repaid, but there was no record. The money was to pay accounts. That transaction took place in 1921.
Strang then went on to examine bankrupt as to the extent of his practice. Except for a short period when there were six, the assistants numbered five, and the wages totalled about £25 weekly. The machine in hire from America cost 50 dollars a month.
Rent of £30 a Week.
Another expense in connection with the business was rent of £30 a week for the Symonds Street property after it was transferred to his wife. After examining the books, Mr. Strang asked if the wife intended taking any action for arrears, and bankrupt replied that she had made no intimation to that effect so far.
Mr. Dickson: There is a clause in the agreement, I understand, which provides that if he goes bankrupt the lease ceases.
Mr. Strang: Did you tell any of your acquaintances that during the year 1923 you were earning £10,000 a year? — No.
Mr. Strang then read at random from bankrupt's books showing weekly receipts of £199, £158 and £211, and contended that the average was £100. From bankrupt's answers he estimated the expenditure at £50, and he asked how it came about that bankrupt found it necessary to borrow. — Bankrupt replied that he had other expenses.
Mr. Strang: But you told us you had to borrow to meet household accounts. Do you expect anybody to believe this? There was no answer.
Bankrupt further stated that the only other asset he had was property at Picton acquired in 1896, and mentioned in the schedule. The examination was then adjourned until this afternoon. £1000 For Wages. On resuming, bankrupt was asked had he transferred any other property to his wife other than the two dwellings. It depends what you mean by property. I gave my wife £1000 in December, 1923, in cash for wages. -Auckland Star, 11/12/1924.
TOWN HALL, Auckland - - JULY 20th.
TOWN HALL, Wellington - - JULY 22nd.
CHORAL HALL, Christchurch - JULY 24th.
BURNS HALL, Dunedin - - JULY 25th.
THE ABRAMS MACHINE
IS IT A MYSTERY?
Alexander Marky : Alexander Marky
(THE FAMOUS AMERICAN LECTURER) And Editor of "PEARSON'S" WILL CONVINCE YOU BY
SCIENTIFIC DEMONSTRATIONS
SCIENTIFIC DEMONSTRATIONS
That there is more IN it than IS dreamt of IN the philosophy of many doctors.
THE MYSTERIOUS ABRAMS MACHINE
"WON'T WASH CLOTHES." "WON'T WASH CLOTHES."
And There Are Some Other Things That It Will Not Do —
(1) It will not cut you open to look for an inflamed appendix, only to find a healthy one.
(2) It will not cut you open to extract non-existent gallstones, and then eliminate part of the pancreas.
(3) It will not treat you for months for sciatica, and then cut you open to find it was cancer all the time.
(4) It will not operate to rectify, results of previous operations (Adhesions).
(5) It will not punctuate these disconcerting exploits by inserting swabs in your abdomen.
But what you do not know is what the machine WILL do. That is why you should come to these lectures, where SCIENTIFIC DEMONSTRATIONS will be given, and you will be convinced that all the remarkable claims for it are PROVED FACTS.
TOWN HALL, Auckland - - JULY 20th.
TOWN HALL, Wellington - - JULY 22nd.
CHORAL HALL, Christchurch - JULY 24th.
BURNS HALL, Dunedin - - JULY 25th . -NZ Truth, 18/7/1925.
THE ABRAMS TREATMENT.
MEASURING OF VIBRATIONS.
CURES IN AMERICA.
A lecture on the Abrams method of diagnosis and treatment, of disease was given by Mr. Alexander Marky in the Town Hall concert chamber last evening. The Hon. George Fowlds presided over a crowded attendance.
At the outset the lecturer said he had nothing to do with any doctor who might be using the Abrams machine in the course of his professional duties. Mr. Marky traced the evolution of the theory of electronic reaction. In 1915, Abrams maintained that all matter was radioactive, and this had recently been confirmed by Robert Millikan, one of the world's greatest scientists.
The radiations from the human body were so fine and so delicate that there were not instruments delicate enough to measure them. It was not vibrations from the human body that were invented, but the question was to invent a machine delicate enough to measure the vibrations. Abrams, who had been described as a "master of the human body," tried to give something more reliable than the doctors could give. He tried to find the difference in the vibrations from diseased and from healthy bodies. In his experiments he found that his hypothesis was correct — that vibrations of a multitudinous nature were given off by the human body. He held that if the basis of disease was vibratory discord, he ought to be able to detect the difference between health and disease vibrations.
The lecturer, who said the treatment was on the same basis as that of radio transmission, described the method that was adopted. It was wonderful in one outstanding respect, that the instrument would show a tendency to a disease before there were clinical manifestations, and that marked the greatest discovery in the history of medicine. It could tell a disease in its incipiency.
Mr. Marky also referred to an improved machine, which gave pulsations almost like human pulsations. If, for example, it was set at the rate of 42, a tubercular reaction gave a stickiness on a photo-electric plate, but if there was no tuberculosis, there was no stickiness. As far as cures were concerned, he had seen actual miracles performed. His two sisters had been given up by the doctors, but with the Abrams treatment one was cured in three months and the other in six months. The Abrams method had done more for afflicted people than the medical paraphernalia of all time. He urged doctors, to go back to school, study physics — for the treatment was pure physics — and then treat their patients with it. -NZ Herald 21/7/1925.
THE ABRAMS TREATMENT.
PUBLIC ADDRESSES.
THE “WIRELESS” OF HEALING.
While only time and the experts can tell whether he is right or wrong, anyone could see that Mr Alexander Marky was enthusiastic and genuine in his explanation of the Abrams machine. There must have been quite 460 people present at Burns Hall on Saturday night when Mr Marky gave a lecture on Dr Albert Abrams’s electronic treatment of disease.
Mr Marky, who is a young man — hardly in middle age — speaks clearly, fluently, and pleasantly. He made his lecture very interesting by his style, apart from the subject, and he was given a cordial reception and most of his pleasantries at the expense of the medical “art” — he denied that there was such a thing as medical “science” — showed a rather surprising amount of sympathetic accord.
The chair was occupied by Cr C. H. Hayward, who suitably introduced the lecturer. Before Mr Marky came forward, however, Cr Hayward announced that Dr Pettit, from Auckland, well known to Dunedinites, would also address the audience.
Dr Pettit, who was given an excellent reception, and was evidently known to some of the medical students in attendance gave a brief sketch of Mr Marky’s career. He said that Mr Marky succeeded Mr Frank Harris as editor of “Pearson’s,” and was perhaps the youngest editor in the world of a large magazine. In 1922 Mr Marky decided to open the pages of that magazine to an exposition of Abrams’s treatment, and his remarkable discovery, but as the result of organised persecution a large financial loss had resulted, the magazine losing 50,000 dollars, Mr Marky also making a heavy personal loss. Mr Marky had come from New York to tell them about the Abrams treatment. The speaker then described his visit to the United States to see for himself this wonderful system, and he was convinced that Dr Abrams was the only genius he had met.
Mr Marky, who was well received, began by giving a short account of the electronic theory of matter. He said that the Abrams method was built upon a solid foundation supplied by a New Zealand physicist. New Zealanders, he said, should spend more time looking into Sir Ernest Rutherford's amazing discoveries. If they did this they would understand more easily why Dr Abrams succeeded in applying the same principles to the human body. Referring to Dr Abrams, the lecturer said at the age of 18 he had passed his medical studies at the Cooper Medical College, but. could not be admitted to practice because of his youth. A born medical genius, he decided to tour the world and study at the leading medical colleges. He graduated at Heidelberg with the highest possible honours, and he had sat the feet of the greatest medical authorities in Europe. In 1897 Dr Abrams commenced to experiment with X-rays at the Cooper Medical College, where he occupied the position or professor of pathology. The medical profession told him he must cease experimenting with the rays of the sun, but he refused to do so. He was spurred on by the fact that both his first and his second wives had died of cancer, in spite of all that he could do. This convinced him that medicine was of no use in the treatment of disease. Dr Abrams succeeded in applying the same principles to the human body as Sir Ernest Rutherford had applied in connection with the atomic theory. If scientists had proved that substance was made of moving vibrating electrons it followed that the human body, which was a substance, could differentiate between one kind of vibrations and another.
Mr Marky went on to say that Dr Abrams concluded that it needed only a sufficiently delicate instrument to record these vibrations in the human body. He was one of the greatest geniuses the world had ever known. He was one of those rare geniuses who combined the inventive mind and attitude of a born physician and a profound thinker with a love of ideals. In his research he went down to the vibration cure. Vibrations could be passed from one body to another attuned to receive them without wires, or wireless, or anything else. Blood was the life-giving element in the human body. One drop of blood was the vibratory miniature of the human body, as one drop of water was the vibratory miniature of the great ocean from which it might be taken. Dr Abrams discovered that by vibrations he could diagnose disease in its incipient stages. Hu method was the first means to detect conditions that tended to disease before there was any clinical manifestation of the disease. This could not be done by doctors to-day, who had to wait until a disease had developed before they could diagnose it correctly. Dr Abrams proved that cancer did not come overnight, but was the result of something which had been in the body for some time. Could they imagine, asked the lecturer, what Dr Abrams felt when he found that he could discover tuberculosis and cancer before they had secured a hold upon the body? It was the most wonderful discovery that had ever been made by medical art. Dr Abrams's method had saved thousands of lives which had been abandoned as hopeless by the medical profession. As a journalist and a humanitarian, he (Mr Marky) wished to awaken the world to the fact that as medicine was. practised to-day — in the United States, at any rate — it was a hopeless failure. He appealed to physicians to get out of their narrow grooves, and to spend some of their time in learning this wonderful new method of treating disease. He was not opposed to physicians; he wanted them to come out and help him in giving their patients the benefits of this wonderful invention. — (Applause.)
At the close of the lecture a number of questions were asked and answered by the lecturer, who stated in reply to Mr John Gilchrist that he was at present engaged writing a book in which he would show that four billion dollars were invested in the United States in things used in the treatment of disease. At 11.5 p.m. the lecturer was still answering and the major portion of the large audience waited till the end. Dr Pettit announced that another lecture would be given in Dunedin by Mr Marky. -Otago Witness, 28/7/1925.
Alexander Markey first came to New Zealand in 1925, promoting a "Dr Abrams Cancer Cure machine," claimed by its founder and his disciples as being able to diagnose illnesses and cancer "by monitoring the body's vibrations." The Abrams machine had been generally exposed as quackery in America and Markey had a controversial lecture tour throughout this country. In Dunedin, Medical School students let off stink bombs and heckled him continuously — the local paper headlined it “A lively lecture." -12/3/1983.
THE ABRAMS METHODS.
A LIVELY LECTURE,
MR MARKY’S FIGHTING EVENING.
IS ALL MEDICAL SERVICE WRONG?
The remarkable claims of the late Dr Abrams, of America, have been much before the public of late, and have very keen and even bitter controversy. Evidence of the wide local interest taken in the subject was to be found in the large audience that gathered in Burns Hall last evening to hear an exposition of the Abrams electronic diagnosis and treatment by Mr Alexander Marky. Mr Marky, who was the editor of American Pearson's, gave a lecture and demonstration here about three weeks ago and proved his ability as a lecturer, and his vital enthusiasm for his subject. Local doctors were not conspicuous last night, but there were evidently many medical students present.
Mr C. H. Hayward occupied the chair, and in introducing the lecturer promised the audience a very instructive evening The lecturer invited written questions at the close of his address.
Mr Marky at the outset remarked that he thought they were going to have a fighting evening. As if to make sure that he wouldn't be disappointed in his prophesy he opened dramatically by throwing out the challenging question: “Is there anyone here in the audience, a member of the B.M.A., who knows enough about the Abrams method to get up on the platform right now and debate it with me? — (No response.) I will give you one minute to think it over. Are there two or three or any number of the B.M.A. who would be prepared to come and debate sections of the subject?”
A Female Voice: Kindly describe to me what the B.M.A. means. — (Laughter.)
Mr Marky: It stands for the British Medical Association.
The Lady: Oh, thank you. — (Laughter.)
For the benefit of those who did not know, he went on to say that the British Medical Association was the official organisation or the official union of the doctors of the British Empire. He did not believe in purely destructive work, but he did believe in pulling down what was rotten and putting up something good in its place. He had first to point out what was wrong, and then to point out what might be put in its right place. His first few lectures here had been tame as a Sunday school in comparison with his lectures in America, because he wished first of all to give the B.M.A. every opportunity to show that it was different from the American Medical Association. After being a month in this country he had to say that the B.M.A. here was not different from the American Medical Association. — (Applause.) The Minister of Public Health would not even hear him, because he was afraid of the B.M.A. On Wednesday he was to meet the Prime Minister, and he hoped the would not lend a deaf ear to his plea that an opportunity be given to the soldiers for whom the doctors could do nothing to receive treatment by the Abrams methods. The B.M.A. in this country was as thoroughly hidebound as the American Medical Association. — (Loud applause.) It had become as autocratic and as tyrannous. It was beginning to control the laws and politicians and every avenue of publicity, and it was about time that the people, who seemed to him to be thinking people — (loud applause) — did something to counteract the dreadful influence of this powerful trust, the B.M.A. in New Zealand. “The honorary secretary of the Otago B.M.A.,’’ he said, “Dr Carswell" — (Voices: A fine man!” Cheers and applause)— has seen fit to go into fits and make a number of statements in the Otago Daily Times with which I shall deal one by one before I go on to the subject of my lecture.” He said he was very grateful to the Otago Daily Times for its fairness in publishing his whole letter without leaving out a word. He thought it was a remarkable piece of newspaper work and a fine piece of courtesy to a fellow journalist. He proceeded to answer a letter in the Otago Daily Times of last Saturday from Dr Carswell, expressing the official opinion of the B.M.A. in the Otago district. Up till a few months ago, he asserted, every publication of the B.M.A. and the American Medical Association, and practically every newspaper in this country, reprinted articles saying that there was no such thing us an electronic reaction. Dr Carswell now said they did not deny there was such a thing as electronic reaction. The lecturer thought they were now getting near to Dr Abrams’ discoveries. They no longer denied the possibility of electronic reactions because a very marvellous committee, under Thos. Horder, had established the fact that there was something coming through the diagnostic instruments. So now the doctors were preparing for a detour, and possibly they would get hold of some foreign doctor and stimulate him to take up this work under another name, and gradually, slowly adopt it in their practice, as they had adopted homoeopathy and osteopathy and every other modern method, always giving it some different name so as not to give credit to those actually responsible for the discovery.
His experience was that the old-fashioned doctor viewed with, suspicion everything that was liable to cure. It was against the ethics of the B.M.A. to use the word “cure” in connection with their cases. Why? Because it was so seldom that cures occurred in their experience that they could not afford to take any chances. — (Laughter). Mr Marky describing the delicacy of an instrument which could record the glance of an eye drew the interruption, “Can you tell a bad look from a good one?” --(Laughter). “I can tell,” retorted the lecturer, with significant emphasis on the “I.” “For the benefit of those who are too dull to know ” — the same voice, gloomily, “That’s me!” — (Loud laughter). The lecturer went on to indicate how differences in sex and religion and so forth might, be recorded by an instrument of sufficient delicacy. He further described how handwriting could be used for diagnosis through the vibrations that passed into the graphite of the pencil used.
A voice: Let’s see you do it!
The lecturer continued his examination of points in Dr Carswell’s letter explaining that the reason for facing west was due to the magnetic currents going north and south. He further scientifically expounded the reason for the subdued light referred to. Some nervous conditions could be traced to the colour of the rugs and drapery and wallpaper in the home. This showed the effect of colour on the body. He passed on to the subject of vaccination. It was a dreadful thing, he said, to know that when we were vaccinated we were liable to get into our bodies not only something to give immunity from smallpox, but something that trended towards syphilis and tuberculosis. He explained the charge that Dr Abrams had refused to give a demonstration and went on as he said to “nail,” a “rather damnable piece of business,” so that it would not come up again. This was in reference to an attack on the genuineness of the Abrams instruments.
A voice: What did that committee say about the point they did investigate?
Mr Marky: They said there is very likely a new physical phenomenon worth .investigating and they implored the B.M.A. to finance further investigations.
Shortly after 9 o’clock Mr Markby won the grateful applause of his audience by saying that he had now disposed of Dr Carswell’s letter and would proceed with his lecture. On the lines of the address given here previously he outlined the history and significance of Dr Abrams’s discoveries. He received some minor interruption with the remark, '“There are some people here who need Abrams treatment.”
A slow elderly voice: You can have a go at me after. (Laughter.)
Medicine, the lecturer said, was an art, and guesswork, and not a science. It did not deal with causes and effects that could be measured. A scientific method had now been introduced into medicine for the first time. The lecturer gave the salient points in Dr Abrams’s career in order to show that he was a brilliant and genuine investigator and no charlatan. No man had ever been able to match his record as a student. In his later life 18 to 20 hours a day was spent in research work in his laboratory. When one of the lecturer’s large statements drew an incredible whistle from a member of the audience Mr Markey scored by saying pleasantly, “That is being done, whistling or no whistling, but whistling is not being done in polite society!" (Laughter and applause.)
He drew the fire of a group of medical students by a reference to five years of medical study. “Six years,” they shouted in chorus. . . “It doesn’t matter if it is 60 years," retorted the lecturer unmoved. “The longer you stay the less you know!’’ — (Laughter.) He proceeded to quote Sir James Mackenzie in support of this sweeping statement.
A Voice: That does not justify you in criticising the medical profession.
Mr Markby: No, I have other reasons than that. The lecturer’s quick wit delighted the audience when someone drew attention to a electric bulb on the stage going out. “Your light’s going out,” called the voice. “That’s connected with the B.M.A.!” was the instant explanation. — (Laughter.) He urged the medical students present to read Dr Abrams’s books and spend some months studying them. “It will do them a lot of good if they are interested in their patients. If they are not — as most of them are not — it is no use their wasting their time on Dr Abrams.’’ Mr Markby illustrated a number of his points by reference to electrical and vibrating instruments which he had with him on the stage. He said that doctors now could not tell cancer, or tuberculosis until it gave clinical manifestations because their methods were too crude, but the Abrams method gave cancerous vibrations coming from the body when there was no physical clinical manifestation of it. It acted similarly with other diseases. The lecturer passed on from the clinical side of Dr Abrams’s work to speak of his methods of treatment. “Like destroys like” was at the basis of the treatment. He experimented with an oscilloclast and a radio instrument to show that energy did actually come from the oscilloclast. He had seen the most miraculous cures effected by the Abrams methods in his own family and among his friends in cases where surgery and medicine could do nothing. He had felt it his duty to pass on this wonderful new discovery to as many persons as he possibly could. He had no axe to grind, and he paid his own expenses. If there was anything over after expenses had been paid he would devote it to a full clinic fund in New Zealand. — (Applause.) He knew these discoveries would accomplish miracles if they were used conscientiously for the benefit of the patient. The one degree he coveted and desired to be worthy of was that of T.H., teacher of health. (Applause.) He asked them to bring about a public opinion in this community that would force the local medical men to look into this thing from an honest, sincere point of view, instead of ridiculing it, and compel them to ascertain what, it could do for their victims. — (Loud applause.) Question time was not reached till 10.30, but the great bulk of the audience remained.
The demand that all questions must be in writing nonplussed some of the would-be questioners, but some were undeterred. The first question real out was “ What did Dr Abrams die of?” “The American Medical Association and the B.M.A. drove him to an untimely death,” was the answer. Members of the audience indicated that they regarded this as an evasion. Mr Marty further elaborated. He said that Dr Abrams died at the age of 61 of heart failure after putting in “six centuries” of work, for he worked 18 or 20 hours a day for 40 years. He was hounded to death in the last five years of his life by his fellow physicians. In answer to further questions, he said the instruments on the stage were not the whole Abrams equipment. He claimed that he was willing to submit to a treatment test before an impartial committee, and that he would explain and discuss the instruments privately with a qualified physicist. An interesting and courteous, but highly technical, discussion on the presence of a certain disease in cattle was carried on between the lecturer and a medical student at the back of the hall, but the outcome of the argument was not evident to the uninitiated. A question that contributed distinctly to the happiness of the meeting was, “What is going to happen to the generation that will come under the care of the gentlemen in the gallery on your left?” Mr Marky said he was sorry for the next generation. In reply to a question on the Dundas Mackenzie case, Mr Marky launched into a vigorous defence of the defendant, and said that 197 of Mr Mackenzie’s old patients had rushed to his defence. He alleged that the Crown prosecutor the day after the case sent his own child for Abrams treatment. The papers deliberately gave only one side of the story. Under considerable pressure from a group of medical students, he admitted at last in answer to one question that he did not know. He claimed to have spent 17 years studying surgery and medicine.
Voice: And not through yet!
— But My Marky neatly extricated himself. “I hope, my dear young man, I shall never be through with my studying — (Loud applause.)
The supply of questions gave out at a quarter past 11, and the formal proceedings closed with a round of applause for the lecturer. An eager group of medial students promptly took possession of the stage and surrounded the lecturer and his instruments, and there was every indication that he was in for a lively cross-examination for as long as his patience would hold out. -Otago Daily Times, 25/8/1925.
Mechanical Music (excerpt)
Mass production in the domain of fine arts is apt to destroy appreciation of finer points. There will probably be a reaction against mechanised drama, music, speech and a demand for the human touch in all these things. Meanwhile we have to be thankful that there are still some spheres of human activity as yet uninvaded by mechanised devices. We have the Abrams machine in the domain of medicine and the "lie detector" in criminal procedure, hut in such things as company promoting and burglary there is yet a province untouched by the god of the machine. —W.M. -Auckland Star, 8/8/1930.
So what was the "Abrams machine"? These days, of course, Wikipedia can tell us. Suspicious people opened up one of them in 1921 and found "simple wiring, a few resistors, a small motor that only made a humming noise, and nothing that could in any way perform a diagnosis or 'broadcast' or even produce radio waves."
By the end of the 1920s, with Abrams dead, his machine was largely forgotten. At this distance of
years, it's difficult to discern whether its inventor truly believed in it.
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