William Frederick Koch
Encyclopedia
William Frederick Koch was a U. S.
medical doctor and pharmaceutical
entrepreneur. In the 1940s he marketed glyoxylide, a drug which he claimed would cure cancer
. The claims were never scientifically proved, and he was considered a charlatan
by the FDA.
in 1909 and an MA in 1910. In 1916 he got a PhD from the University of Michigan. There, Koch learned the principles of homeopathy
from A. W. Dewey. In 1914 he was appointed Professor of Physiology at the Detroit College of Medicine and subsequently became Chairman of that Department. He received an MD degree in 1918 from the Detroit College of Medicine.
In the early 1940s, Koch announced his discovery of glyoxylide, a miracle drug that would cure a long list of diseases, even when administered at 1 part per trillion dilution. He sold the drug through an entity called the Christian Medical Research League. He never revealed his process for the manufacture of glyoxylide, and there never was any evidence that glyoxylide in any amount had any therapeutic effect. Analysis showed it to be distilled water
of extraordinary purity. Over 3,000 health practitioners in the U.S. paid $25 per ampoule
for Koch's treatment and charged patients as much as $300 for a single injection.
The FDA sued Koch twice, in 1943 and 1946, but failed to get a conviction. After an inspection of his laboratories by the FDA, Koch announced his retirement, and moved to Brazil
in 1950. A product known as the Koch treatment continued to be sold in Mexico
long after it disappeared in the United States.
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
medical doctor and pharmaceutical
Pharmacy
Pharmacy is the health profession that links the health sciences with the chemical sciences and it is charged with ensuring the safe and effective use of pharmaceutical drugs...
entrepreneur. In the 1940s he marketed glyoxylide, a drug which he claimed would cure cancer
Cancer
Cancer , known medically as a malignant neoplasm, is a large group of different diseases, all involving unregulated cell growth. In cancer, cells divide and grow uncontrollably, forming malignant tumors, and invade nearby parts of the body. The cancer may also spread to more distant parts of the...
. The claims were never scientifically proved, and he was considered a charlatan
Snake oil
Snake oil is a topical preparation made from the Chinese Water Snake , which is used to treat joint pain. However, the most common usage of the phrase is as a derogatory term for quack medicine...
by the FDA.
Biography
William Koch got a BA in Chemistry from the University of MichiganUniversity of Michigan
The University of Michigan is a public research university located in Ann Arbor, Michigan in the United States. It is the state's oldest university and the flagship campus of the University of Michigan...
in 1909 and an MA in 1910. In 1916 he got a PhD from the University of Michigan. There, Koch learned the principles of homeopathy
Homeopathy
Homeopathy is a form of alternative medicine in which practitioners claim to treat patients using highly diluted preparations that are believed to cause healthy people to exhibit symptoms that are similar to those exhibited by the patient...
from A. W. Dewey. In 1914 he was appointed Professor of Physiology at the Detroit College of Medicine and subsequently became Chairman of that Department. He received an MD degree in 1918 from the Detroit College of Medicine.
In the early 1940s, Koch announced his discovery of glyoxylide, a miracle drug that would cure a long list of diseases, even when administered at 1 part per trillion dilution. He sold the drug through an entity called the Christian Medical Research League. He never revealed his process for the manufacture of glyoxylide, and there never was any evidence that glyoxylide in any amount had any therapeutic effect. Analysis showed it to be distilled water
Distilled water
Distilled water is water that has many of its impurities removed through distillation. Distillation involves boiling the water and then condensing the steam into a clean container.-History:...
of extraordinary purity. Over 3,000 health practitioners in the U.S. paid $25 per ampoule
Ampoule
An ampoule is a small sealed vial which is used to contain and preserve a sample, usually a solid or liquid. Ampoules are commonly made of glass, although plastic ampoules do exist....
for Koch's treatment and charged patients as much as $300 for a single injection.
The FDA sued Koch twice, in 1943 and 1946, but failed to get a conviction. After an inspection of his laboratories by the FDA, Koch announced his retirement, and moved to Brazil
Brazil
Brazil , officially the Federative Republic of Brazil , is the largest country in South America. It is the world's fifth largest country, both by geographical area and by population with over 192 million people...
in 1950. A product known as the Koch treatment continued to be sold in Mexico
Mexico
The United Mexican States , commonly known as Mexico , is a federal constitutional republic in North America. It is bordered on the north by the United States; on the south and west by the Pacific Ocean; on the southeast by Guatemala, Belize, and the Caribbean Sea; and on the east by the Gulf of...
long after it disappeared in the United States.