Friedrich Franz Friedmann

Friedmann in 1913

Friedrich Franz Friedmann (October 26, 1876 – February 19, 1953) was a tuberculosis researcher in Berlin who came to New York City to give what he called the "turtle vaccine" to people who came to his clinic in 1913. He claimed to have developed a strain capable of providing immunity, by passing the strain through turtles.[1]

Biography

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He was born on October 26, 1876, in Berlin. He arrived in the United States in 1913 with his secretary, Charles de Vidal Hundt, his assistant, Dr. Harry Benjamin,[1] and his brother, Arthur C. H. Friedmann.[2] He sold the American rights to the cure for $125,000 in cash to set up thirty-six Friedrich F. Friedmann Institutes that were to be in thirty-six states.[3] The New York City Board of Health rejected his claims and the clinic was closed.[4] He died on February 19, 1953, in Monte Carlo.[5]

References

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  1. ^ a b Person, Ethel Spector (1999). The Sexual Century. Yale University Press. ISBN 0-300-07604-5. Friedmann's announcement of his discovery and its endorsement by prominent physicians in Germany aroused a widespread interest in turtle vaccine. ...
  2. ^ Lee, R. Alton (2007). From Snake Oil to Medicine. Greenwood Publishing Group. ISBN 978-0-275-99467-9. Frederick Franz Friedmann and his brother, Dr. Arthur CH Friedmann, came to America early in 1913 to promote his 'cure' of serum of 'marine turtle germ' ...
  3. ^ "Friedmann Sells For $1,925,000; Gets $125,000 Cash, the Rest in Stock, for American Rights to His 'Cure.'". The New York Times. April 27, 1913. p. 1. Retrieved September 26, 2024 – via Newspapers.com. After long negotiations, Dr. Friedrich Franz Friedmann arranged yesterday for the sale of the American rights in his turtle vaccine consumption cure for $125,000 in cash and $1,800,000 in stock in thirty-six Friedrich F. Friedmann Institutes to be organized in thirty-six selected States, with a total capitalization of $5,400,000.
  4. ^ "Friedmann Cure Placed Under Ban. Health Board Prohibits Use of Turtle Vaccine and New Institute Is Closed". The New York Times. May 30, 1913. p. 7. Retrieved September 26, 2024 – via Newspapers.com. The long-expected, carefully aimed blow at Dr. Friedrich Franz Friedmann's turtle vaccine was struck yesterday by the Board of Health of this city. Within an hour after the board adjourned the Friedmann Institute had closed its doors to those who, sick of tuberculosis, were being drawn there by the promises so glowingly held forth by the young Berlin physician and his entourage.
  5. ^ "German Who Claimed to Have TB Cure, Dies". Corpus Christi Caller-Times. Monte Carlo (published February 22, 1953). February 21, 1953. p. 27. Retrieved September 26, 2024 – via Newspapers.com.
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