John Till, the Somerset Doctor
From The Infomercantile
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John Till, the Somerset DoctorJohn Till, "The Somerset Doctor", was a practicer of alternative medicine in the early 20th century, gaining the most notariety in the Somerset, Wisconsin region.
Signature Treatment
Till's signature treatment was to apply a mixture of:
- Plaster;
- Kerosene;
- Croton Oil,
which -- through the caustic and painful inclusion of croton oil -- was believed to draw out infection by causing huge pustulant blisters to appear on the skin. The poultice was applied to the large surface of the back, allowed to cause caustic burning to the skin. Cotton was sewn into the back of a shirt, to adsorb leakage, and after several days of healing either the person was cured, or the treatment was applied again.
