>In addition to what has already been said about gold as therapy, I think it is
>important to recognize that the reason for Keeley's success is that he did not
>sell Double Bi-chloride of Gold as a patent medicine but that one could only
>obtain it at one of his sanatariums.  These facilities were generally very
>well-run and used many of the techniques of our better-run treatment programs
>today: a healthy diet; group meetings; emphasis upon plans for the future and
>breaking old habits; aftercare groups.  Also, although Double Bi-chloride of
>Gold was found in at least one test not to contain any gold, it also did not
>contain either alcohol or opiates which made it almost unique among the
>"cures" of the late 19th century.
 
H. Wayne Morgan DRUGS IN AMERICA has a good section on the Keeley cure.
 
 
 
 
 
Mark C. Smith
Assistant Professor of American Studies and History
University of Texas at Austin