Infamous Propaganda
Of all the infamous propaganda with which the newspapers of
the country are filled to-day, the propaganda of the patent medicine crooks is
the most damnable. Taking advantage of the public fear of Influenza, the
medical vendors are creating a very epidemic of hysteria by filling the
newspapers with startling advertisements designed to make everybody feel they
will have the Flu and inciting people to fill their systems full of this and
that nostrum to save themselves. And the newspapers that take the filthy money
of these patent medicine crooks and spread their propaganda are not honest
enough or intelligent enough to tell their readers in bold type that the best
way to cultivate a serious case of Influenza is to fear it and weaken your
powers of resistance by taking drugs.
This newspaper does not print this hysterical,
fear-provoking, disease-breeding medical advertising. When The Independent has to stoop to that dirty business to meet its
payroll, then The Independent will be
for sale to the highest bidder.
There is a drug store in Elizabeth City that is giving the
public clean, honest, wholesome and invaluable advise as how to avoid the Flu.
The Apothecary Shop in its advertisement in this newspaper says: “Avoid colds
and influenza by keeping your feet warm, avoiding exposure to drafts, eating
simply and regularly and refraining from worry. Eat fruits and green vegetables
to keep the bowels open. Exercise freely.”
That’s the sanest, healthiest and most skillful piece of
drug store publicity I have seen. It deals frankly with the public. And that is
the kind of advertising that pays. The value of all advertising is measured by
the public confidence and good will it creates.
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