APPARATUS, QUACK
[Medical & Psychological Tools and Equipment]

Accession Number: 2002.51.8.1002

Physical Description: “Color-Therm or Cosmo Light.” Wood box with narrow glass tubes mounted to top. Rectangular blonde wood box. Series of interlocking curved opalescent glass tubes laid out on horizontal plain at top of box. Tubing elevated by three wood blocks. Wide brass handles protruding from both ends of box. Two circular brown electrical ports on side. Power-cord extending from box. Gold label adhered to top.

History of Object: Dr. Gerkey invented the Cosmo-Light to cure disease by exposing the human body to light of the proper frequency. The Cosmo-Light did nothing to heal the body. Gerkey shipped the devices with no claims, but his agents made the false claims and the devices were seized. He shipped components of the devices with directions for assembling. The components were seized and Gerkey was prosecuted in 1953.

Date: Between 1930 and 1949

Dimensions (in cm): 21.00 (H) 30.00 (W) 60.00 (D)

Marks/Inscriptions: [label on top of box] COSMO-LIGHT / Manufactures TRITONIC OZYGEN / PATENTS PENDING / Dr. Fred Gerkey, 5108 Birch Ave., / Mission, Kansas / 110-115 Volt – 10 Watt – 60 – Cycles / Use A-C Current Only. //

Index Terms

Associations and Subjects

Origin, Place of: Johnson County (Kan.)
Business / Organization: Kansas. Dept. of Health and Environment
Theme/topic: Quacks and quackery
Origin, Place of: Mission (Kan.)
Individual: Gerkey, Fred

Creators and Contributors

Triotonic Ozygen

Status: Cataloged

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