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Cancer Cured! Dr. Kingsley, of Rome, N.Y., Has Discovered a Perfect Cure for Cancer.
[Rome, NY, ca. 1880]. Circular, 10” x 7”. 4 pp. CONDITION: Very good, some toning to edges, upper corner of front wrapper folded, no tears, bottom edge of rear wrapper a little frayed. [N.p.], ca. 1880. Carte-de-visite, 4” x 2.5”, printed text on verso. CONDITION: Good, light soiling to recto, photo somewhat faded, verso with light soiling along margins. An advertising circular issued by noted Upstate New York doctor and patent medicine maker W. J. P. Kingsley, who claimed to have cured cancer (by which he appears to have meant breast and skin cancers), accompanied by an advertising carte-de-visite portrait of Kingsley. Although Dr. Kingsley may not have determined why Cancer causes “lumps and kernels that appear in the breast, and…sores, lumps or unnatural appearances…which occur…on the lip, nose, eyelid, face or any other part…of the surface,” he boldly claimed to be able to cure it. He notes in this circular that from his decades of practice he has learned that symptomatic persons “should not wait for serious results…in most cases there is little or no pain until the disease is far advanced. The only symptoms for months…are occasionally a stinging, darting…crawling or creeping sensation…If you have a branny, scaly, crusty or warty appearance…attended with any of the above symptoms…your trouble is cancer, and no delay should be made in having it cured.” Apparently, Kingsley found that “in the majority of instances…the use of the knife hastened the patient’s death,” causing him to abandon the surgical approach. In the knife’s stead, “A specific application is made, which soon kills the Cancer, after which it comes out, leaving a simple sore, which readily heals. Internal remedies are also given, to purify the blood and free the system from all Cancer virus.” Kingsley advises that rather than visit “broken-down ministers, farmers, old women, or any other class of persons who have no knowledge of disease or medicine,” Cancer patients should consult with him, since he has treated “thousands of incurable cases of cancer…within the past twenty-five years.” He claims to be the only physician who can astutely identify the “various kinds of Cancer. Some…very slow…while others are very rapid. Some…will remain almost stationary for years…while others are so rapid…that the patient’s life is destroyed in a few months…they all have one result––loathsome death sooner or later.” Kingsley warns patients not to “try to cure yourself…Don’t be treated at or near home, simply to save expense…Come early and have a lasting cure,” for the reasonable price of“$25 upwards, according to the condition…and the patient’s ability to pay.” For those curious patients wishing to know Kingsley’s mode of treatment, he offers to send “circulars giving full particulars,” in the hopes that they come to see him at once. Having captured the attention of potential patients and others with his extraordinary claims, the good doctor pedals his patent medicines, known as “Dr. Kingsley’s Remedies,” on page four. These include “Cancer Syrup…Vegetable Asthma Specific…Compound Sarsaparilla or life syrup for the blood…Nerve Tonic…Salt Rheum Ointment” and others. Accompanying this circular is an advertising carte-de-visite picturing a bearded Dr. Kingsley. Text on the verso announces: “CANCER Cured by Dr. Kingsley, who has treated…nearly 15,000 cases within the last 2 years. Doctors, Ministers and the Poor cured free.” It also lists several other ailments treated by Kingsley, including cross eyes and fistulas. Dr. W. J. P. Kingsley (1824–1912) was a “mayor of the city of Rome, N.Y…born on a farm in Frankfort, Herkimer county, four miles east of Utica…Dr. Kingsley obtained his education by his own efforts. Reared on a farm…he was enabled to attend Whitestown Seminary, from which he…graduated. He read medicine with Drs. Charles B. Coventry and D. G. Thomas, of Utica, and took a two years' course at the Geneva Medical College. In March 1855, he…graduated…from the New York Medical College and the same year began the practice of his profession in Utica. In the spring of 1856 he came to Rome, where he has ever since resided. For many years he was engaged in a large general surgical practice, having at one time a more extensive professional business than any other physician in the city. Finally cancer cases presented themselves in such constantly increasing numbers that he was obliged to devote most of his time to their treatment, and eventually abandoned his family practice altogether…He has treated over 40,000 cancer cases, and enjoys almost a world wide reputation for skill and success. Dr. Kingsley has been president of the Farmers' National Bank…and was president of its predecessor, the Bank of Rome, which was incorporated as a State bank in 1865. He was one of the incorporators of the Central New York Institution for Deaf Mutes in Rome in 1875 and served as its vice-president until 1895, when he was elected president. He was president of the old Rome Iron Works and is now vice-president of the Rome Brass and Copper Company, the Rome Cemetery Association, and the Jervis Literary Association…In 1891 Dr. and Mrs. Kingsley…equipped the new gymnasium of Yale University at New Haven, Conn…in memory of their deceased son, Dr. George L [Kingsley]” (Wager). REFERENCES: Wager, Daniel E. Our City and its People; a Descriptive Work on the City of Rome, New York. Boston: The Boston History Co., 1896, pp. 34–36.
[with]
[Portrait of Doctor W. J. P. Kingsley.]
Item #8794
Price: $475.00
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