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]
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]
The Bacillus Calmette–Guérin (BCG) vaccine is a vaccine primarily used against tuberculosis (TB). It is named after its inventors Albert Calmette and Camille Guérin. In countries where tuberculosis or leprosy is common, one dose is recommended in healthy babies as soon after birth as possible. In areas where tuberculosis is not common, only children at high risk are typically immunized, while suspected cases of tuberculosis are individually tested for and treated. Adults who do not have tuberculosis and have not been previously immunized, but are frequently exposed, may be immunized, as well. BCG also has some effectiveness against Buruli ulcer infection and other nontuberculous mycobacterial infections. Additionally, it is sometimes used as part of the treatment of bladder cancer.
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Friedmann's announcement of his discovery and its endorsement by prominent physicians in Germany aroused a widespread interest in turtle vaccine. ...
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' ...
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.
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.