Essiac Essentials

disappointed in the response to the trials.
    Resperin had the name ‘Essiac’ officially registered as a trademark on August 1 st 1980, registration number 249752. The directors transferred the Corporation’s rights to their formula and name to another company in Campbelltown, New Brunswick, in 1991.
     
    Stephen Roman:
    He was a wealthy man who reportedly invested a quarter of a million dollars with the Resperin Corporation to fund the trials to test the formula.
     
    Dr Matthew Dymond :
    A doctor and former Minister of Health for Ontario, he was put in charge of making up the decoction by the Resperin Corporation after Rene had signed over the formula. He had arranged to visit Rene at her home so that she could take him step by step through the process of making Essiac, but she broke her hip and was admitted to hospital the day before they were due to meet. She was never well enough to see him again and it was left to Mary McPherson to teach him how to prepare the formula until he felt sufficiently confident in handling the work himself.
     
     
    The Witnesses
     
    What They Said Then
     
    At the Sub-Committee hearing, Bracebridge Clinic, Friday and Saturday, February 3rd and 4th 1939.
    Appearances: Dr. R.C. Wallace, Dr. T.H. Callahan.
    Official Reporter Mr R. Brydie
     
    Former patients of Rene Caisse were called to testify at the court hearing.
     
    Mrs M.N, questioned by:
    Commissioner Wallace:
     
    Q This is being taken down so that the other members of the Commission may know about it. You will speak so that the gentleman here can hear well.
    A Well, ask me any questions and I am prepared to answer them.
    Q You had an examination by Dr. Shannon in St. Michael’s Hospital or by some other doctor?
    A Dr. Bateman.
    Q Dr. Shannon probably read the plates?
    A He took the X-ray plates.
    Q That was this year?
    A That was in March I think.
    Q In March of 1938?
    A Yes.
    Q X-ray plates were taken...
    A Yes.
    Q ...by Dr.Bateman in March?
    A I think it was in March.
     
    Commissioner Callahan:
    Q 1938?
    A Yes, and I came up here in May. It was March or April I had them, and I came up here in May for the first treatment.
     
    Commissioner Wallace:
    Q The reference to the plates by Dr. Shannon is April 4th?
    A About that time.
    Exhibit No.44: Clinic card, Mrs EM.N, May 10th 1938 Exhibit No.45: Diagnosis re: Mrs EM.N, April 4th 1938
    Q You took no treatment at that time?
    A No.
    Q What did Dr. Bateman advise you should do?
    A He advised getting the x-ray, and after that he said that if they did operate they would open the bowel out at the side, and my husband said he would not have that.
    Q You refused the operation?
    A Yes. At that time I was sitting with a hot water bottle on night and day. I just felt I was going to die; I did not have any ambition to do anything.
    Q You had had trouble for a long time?
    A Yes but Dr. Bateman did not think it was serious until I went up to him in April, and he said he thought before it was sacs on the bowel. I had appendicitis some years ago, and I had come in several times, and he...
     
    Commissioner Callahan:
    Q Did he operate upon you at that time?
    A No, I was very young when I had the operation. Then Mr N brought me here, and after the third treatment I began to get better.
    Q You came up here when?
    A In May 1938. At that time I had a woman doing my work, and now I can do it myself.
     
    Commissioner Wallace:
    Q How many treatments have you had?
    A I have had about 23.
    Q Are you taking them regularly Mrs N?
    A Once a week. I have diabetes too. I take insulin twice a day, but Miss Caisse has dried up the sugar. I have not had it as bad as I had when I had it first.
    Q You took insulin?
    A Yes. I skip it once a day very often now that I am getting so much better. I have had that for 12 years.
     
    Commissioner Callahan:
    Q You have taken insulin for that long?
    A No, sir. I have taken insulin for about 6 years.
     
    Commissioner Wallace:
    Q What is your condition now?
    A It is very much better. I go out and just do what I like, and I have not felt so well for 15 years as I do now.
    Q You propose to continue the treatment for some time?
    A Yes, as long as Miss Caisse keeps open I come to her. I think she has done wonderful work. If she did not do any more than she has done for me, it is miraculous. You would not know me today. When I went into a store the other day the man nearly dropped dead; he thought I would be buried.
    Q You have gained weight?
    A No, I have not gained