"Medi-Vaudeville," Ullage Group at Jalopy, Sunday, April 19th

I just found out about a wonderful sounding event taking place in Red Hook, Brooklyn this Sunday, April 19th. I will definitely be going; hope to see you there! Details below:

The Ullage Group offers its fourth afternoon of cultural curiosities, "Medi-Vaudeville." The title refers to the book that Charles Fort planned to write during his final days in the hospital; for, this time around, it's all medical.

Doug Skinner and Dr. Mamie Caton will talk about alternative medicine, evidence-based medicine, and the difficulty of applying scientific methodology to medical procedures. Lisa Hirschfield will present a selection of medically-themed ditties, ranging from 18th century satirical broadside ballads to 20th century patent medicine jingles. Anthony Matt will speak about turn of the century non-invasive medical technologies, which claimed to cure everything from hair loss to cancer by projecting various spectrums of light onto an ailing patient. His talk will explore the medical pursuits of Nikola Tesla, Royal Rife, and Dr. Dinshah Ghadiali. He will also demonstrate a working vintage violet ray generator.

All of this will take place on Sunday, April 19th, at 5 pm, at Jalopy Theatre, 315 Columbia St., Red Hook, Brooklyn. We charge a pittance, $5, to cover our expenses. We would like to point out that you may also hobnob with fellow ullage fanciers, and purchase stimulating beverages; and that the benefit to your overall health and happiness cannot be quantified. And you don't need to make an appointment!

For directions to Jalopy, see www.jalopy.biz.

For more on the Ullage Group, see www.ullagegroup.com.

Image: "The Sailor and the Quack Doctor!!," by George Moutard Woodward, ca.1760-1809, Possibly from Eccentric Excursions, 1796. Found on the wonderful National Library of Medicine website. Click here for full record.