Reading 1800-3

TEXT OF READING 1800-3

Text

Date: 2/14/1925 Sex: M ReadingID: 8117

This Psychic Reading given by Edgar Cayce at his office, 322 Grafton Avenue, Dayton, Ohio, this 14th day of February, 1925, in accordance with request made by Mr. [195].

[Edgar Cayce; Mrs. Cayce, Conductor; Gladys Davis, Steno. Hugh Lynn Cayce.]

Time of Reading 3:45 P. M. Dayton Time. …, Ohio.

1. GC: You will have before you the formula for Pyorrhea Cure, as given in a reading. You will answer questions regarding this, as I ask them.

2. EC: Yes, we have the formula here. Now, we find that Pyorrhea, as is determined in the human body, comes from a specific condition, and is a germ that may be separated, and takes the form of coconut with the head, and the formula as given as a specific is of such a nature as to destroy this germ and the seat of same. The properties as are contained in this solution, when prepared as given, work directly with the structure of this portion of the human anatomy, the calcium with calcium in coating of teeth, and especially with that near the gum. The vegetable matter as in solution a specific for the tissue about the gum, combined with the calcium, to destroy and build at the same time. While that of the acid and alkaloid (not alkali) gives the destructive forces, a carrier preventing the irritation to nerve composed in such tissue, but rather enlivening them and creating the coagulation necessary in destroyed, or of tissue in part destroyed, through activity of such bacilli as is seen in Pyorrhea. Hence we have in this a specific, unless the condition is such that the root or nerve proper has become so involved that we have a separated condition within the system, and poison being given to the condition from the system through improper channel of assimilation and elimination. When under such conditions, we find the body may become the toxin center from the decayed matter, or decayed matter may become toxin center giving poisons in the system, working visa [vice] versa, according to the cycle of condition in body. This, we find, in the greater number of cases, would be a specific for that dread disease, to the human family dis-ease.

3. (Q) If put in bottles and allowed to stand, does the mixture lose its potency? (A) No, for we have that in the soluble form. An addition of water may renew such condition, through the action of hydrogen, oxygen, with calcium and the alkaloid.

4. (Q) Can the contents of the mixture, as now made, be determined by a chemist through analysis? (A) Provided the chemist knows what he’s looking for. Could be determined in part. Not quantity, or wholly determined.

5. (Q) How would it be made, either by method of compounding or by adding other harmless ingredients, so that properties could not be determined by analysis? (A) Already, as is given.

6. (Q) Could it be successfully put on the market? (A) As given.

7. (Q) Is this prescription a specific cure for all cases of Pyorrhea? (A) Where the condition is Pyorrhea, yes. Where the condition is as outlined - this may not be a specific, yet a great benefit, and local treatment to individual molars, or teeth, may be necessary.

There may be much said as regarding the teeth in the human family. The care and the use to which same are put. Also the development in the human family, as to numbers and as to the length of time these may be necessary to the bodies, for we find gradually these are losing the necessity for the condition as has existed, and this condition arising that will be met through this agency of Pyorrhea Cure. One that will bring about the gradual change in this condition.

8. We are through for the present.

Reports

Reports & Follow-up

R1. 3/10/25 Linden Shroyer’s letter:

322 Grafton Avenue, Dayton, Ohio

Dear Mr. Blumenthal:-

No doubt you are anxious to know what I have done in regards to getting started and following the brief summary of what has been my activities.

I have quite a long talk with the Geyer-Dayton Advertising representative and although they do not quite agree that the direct by mail campaign to individuals would be the best plan, they do not altogether disagree. The suggest that we do not send out but five hundred of the circular letters to start with, and if we receive a satisfactory number of replies from such an amount then it would be well to go ahead with that plan. The plan they suggested is that the druggists in and around this vicinity be approached by personal solicitation and to give them the proper support by newspaper advertising, window displays, etc. They could not give me a definite quotation on the matter which I referred to them, namely the circular letter, the circular and the carton for the bottle; however, the price for the copy of the letter and circular he said would be about 50.00; the multigraph work and the mailing to be done by us, so I would judge from these figures that to mail about fifteen hundred letters, to-gether with the art work and designing of the carton, would total approximately 150.00.

You will remember that I spoke to you about a gentleman operating a drug company here selling direct to the doctors in Dayton and surrounding towns, and that I would speak to him relative to our proposition. I called on him last Saturday afternoon, which was the first time I was able to catch him in his office, and spent a couple of hours with him. It so happens that he is suffering from pyorrhea, so I gave him a bottle to try. His brother, who is a dentist, operates the largest dental office in Cincinnati, and at the time he first noticed that he was afflicted with pyorrhea he said that his brother gave him the best thing he had, or knew of, to help him. This did no good, and so he stated to me that if we have such a cure as we claim to have he is willing to take it on with his line of business and he is absolutely sure that he can dispose of a great quantity of it. He will also have his brother try it out and get his endorsement, all of which you can see will help us considerably.

I have spent considerable time in looking for a location, which will furnish us with an address and be suitable for the business. We can secure an office in the heart of Dayton, on Main Street, with a large window, on which we could place our name, for 37.50 per month. Light, heat and janitor service are included in this charge. This room would only be suitable for one office. We can secure a larger room in the same building for 50.00 per month, with windows on two streets, Main and Fourth. It may be well to consider this larger room, for I can find one or two people to share the expense of rent, telephone and stenographic services, for I have been approached by two people who desire desk space and telephone service. However, I wish you would advise us to what your ideas may be.

I have asked for a quotation on bottles and will also get quotations on the necessary ingredients for the manufacture of Pyro-Cure, and will of course obtain these from the one who offers the cheapest price.

Relative to desks, I find that prices are too high here for second-hand office furniture, and the most reasonable way to make such purchases is at forced sales, where they bring very low returns, so will have to wait until I am able to make such purchases.

I noticed in the paper the other night where the State Legislature had passed a bill in which all foreign corporations are exempt from taxation in Ohio. This I believe refers to the State Capital Stock Tax, and I have written to the Secretary of State for a copy of the bill.

The last few evenings I have spent my time in outlining the system of accounting, and I believe I have succeeded in reducing this to a minimum cost and also a minimum amount of labor to be spent.

I am eating, sleeping and living Pyro-Cure, but of course won’t be able to do much until I hear from you, which I hope will be soon.

Mr. Rosenberg called on me Sunday Morning, at which time he stated that he was not in a position to see you at this time, unless you furnished the expense to come to New York, or until you came to Dayton. He, apparently, is very much interested, and would like to take hold of the proposition. He said he would send us some ideas gathered from his own experience which might be of benefit to us.

I believe this is about all I can report at this time. Hoping to hear from you real soon, that we may be GOING STRONG, I am

Very sincerely, --- LS:GD

[GD’s note: Mr Shroyer wrote to several drug firms asking for prices on Prickly Ash Bark and was referred to S. B. Penick and Company, NYC, brokers in roots, herbs, and barks.]

R2. 3/10/25 Mr. Shroyer’s letter:

Secretary of State of Ohio, Columbus, Ohio

Dear Sir:-

I would thank you to send me a copy of the bill enacted by the House, introduced by Senator W. W. Farnsworth of Lucas County, exempting from taxation the stocks of foreign corporations doing business in Ohio. Also the emergency clause carried by the same measures.

Thanking you, I am

Yours very truly, --- LS:GD

R3. 3/12/25 Mr. Blumenthal’s letter to Mr. Shroyer:

William E. Lauer & Co (Letterhead) Members New York Stock Exchange 74 Broadway, New York

Mr. L. Shroyer, 21 - Emmet Street., Dayton, Ohio

Dear Mr. Shroyer,

Yours of the 10th received and contents carefully noted. As regards a room, believe the large one for $50. might prove satisfactory, providing you can secure the desk space spoken of in your letter.

I am having a little difficulty in securing a name, or in registering a name, as the name PYRO-CURE can not be used due to the fact that there is already a preparation on the market called PYRO-DENTO, which though for the teeth is not for the cure of Pyorrhea. Nevertheless, PYRO-DENTO is too closely associated with our preparation to call it PYRO-CURE. Probably your advertising men could give you an idea as to a good name. Suggestions are surely welcome.

I think it might be advisable to have a carton, a circular and a circular letter made up as a sample at the smallest possible cost, although, I should think your people could give you a sketch doing no printing or any other work, merely drawing. It ought be advisable to make up a hundred bottles to start with and let your friend who sells to doctors get right busy on the sale of it. This could be done immediately after the securing of a name. Have any box-maker make up some sort of a carton, and small copies of printed directions both of which could be done for a nominal sum.

The standard carton and circular might come later but if your friend can sell the article, there is no sense in holding him up. At any rate, let me know what progress you are able to make along these lines. The first thing, of course, is to secure a name and establish our corporation then we can let your friend take it out immediately for sale, and in the mean time, secure a standard carton and circular.

As soon as our name is registered, we can get busy. I hope to be able to devote a little more time to this after the next two weeks as now I am up to my neck in making an effort to buy a seat on the New York Stock Exchange. However, this can be properly put over and if you continue plugging along these lines, am sure we will succeed. See if you can suggest a good name that can be registered and the corporation formed and so on.

With my kindest regards to yourself and Mr. Cayce and again wishing you good luck and assuring you of my support, I remain

Very truly yours, [signed] Morton Blumenthal

P.S. Soon as we get name have our first order for the medicine right here in N.Y.

R4. 3/16/25 Mr. Shroyer’s ltr. to Mr. Blumenthal:

322 Grafton Avenue, Dayton, Ohio

Mr. Morton H. Blumenthal, 74 Broadway, Room 401 New York City, N.Y.

Dear Mr. Blumenthal:-

Your letter of March 12th received and contents noted. I’m sorry to hear that you have had difficulty in registering the name “Pyro-Cure” as I believe this would have been a very good name to use. I have handed your letter to Mr. Cayce and he suggests the name “Piorea Q-R”. I believe this would be a very satisfactory name, as it carries the purpose of the article, and as he says Q-R would be pronounced as Cure and could also be construed to mean Quick Relief. If, however, we should be able to think of any further suggestions will advise you, and surely hope we shall be able to overcome this handicap very shortly.

I not in your letter that you suggest I obtain the large room as I mentioned in my first letter, providing I can secure the desk space for the other people. This I believe, and am certain, I can be able to do, but unless I hear from you with something to start the business off with I’m afraid I will have to seek elsewhere for a location. I believe you can see that this also applies to any other work I might have the advertiser do, or to even secure the necessary properties to make up a quantity of the formula.

If I had the available cash I would have been able to take advantage of the sale of a couple of corporations going out of business here to secure the few items of furniture, etc., that will be necessary for the office. In fact there is very little more I can do until we are able to proceed in a regular business way. Personally, I have worked a great amount of enthusiasm and believe that this will prove to be a very profitable business when it is developed.

I not with interest that our first order will come from New York. However, I hope there will be lots of first orders when we are able to deliver.

With kindest personal regards, hoping you are meeting with success in your business there, and awaiting your further communication, I am

Yours sincerely, --- LS:GD

R5. 3/19/25 S. B. Penick & Co.’s letter:

S. B. Penick & Company (Letterhead) Offices, 115-117 Fulton Street, New York

Research Development Corporation, 322 Grafton Avenue, Dayton, Ohio

Gentlemen:

Responding to your inquiry of march 16th, we are pleased to quote you

100 lbs PRICKLY ASH BARK, USP…22 cents per lb. 50 ” ” ” ” ” …23 cents ” ” 25 ” ” ” ” ” …24 cents ” ”

F.O.B. New York, for prompt shipment.

Thanking you for the inquiry, and trusting to have the pleasure of hearing from you, we are

Very truly yours,

S. B. PENICK & COMPANY

R6. 4/17/25 EC’s letter to MHB from Dayton, Ohio:

Some few weeks ago, I wrote a letter of inquiry to the Postmaster at Virginia Beach. He sent me a very nice circular, for one of the Realtors. I suppose we will be wanting to get set with that end of it as soon as it is possible to do so. I’d like to do this as soon after the middle of June as it is possible to do so. I’d like to do this as soon after the middle of June as it is possible. Perhaps it will be the wrong time of the year for the place; that is, to get anything definitely set. Your friend, whom I believe is in New York at present, or whom you know in Norfolk or that vicinity, will no doubt be able to give you any information you desire regarding conditions around there. To be sure, some of us will have to go down there and see, or get someone to do same for us. Let me know what you think of it anyhow.

Be sure and return the letter and photograph from Dr. Stone [Elise L. Stone, N.D.] when you are through with it. I want to keep it for the files. Also let me know what you think about the design as was submitted for Seal.

Now, as regards the pyorrhea remedy, the name that I have thought would perhaps be the best thing would be a combination of letters that would be something entirely foreign from anything else that had ever been used, but one whose change would be an indication of the various products that might be manufactured by the Research Corporation. Seemingly, from the letter as you enclosed, for which I thank you, (which I am returning for your files) that there are a great many of these cures on the market, and many of them carry the indication in the name of what they are for. While the name that I would suggest has nothing of the kind. I believe it would be one that would soon mean something to the general public, and when that was called for there would be no substitute to be given. The name is “Ipsab”, pronounced Ip-sab [GD’s note: This name was Gertrude Cayce’s idea]. This, as perhaps you will notice, is a combination of the names of the ingredients of which this is made. I’m sure there’s no other name similar, and we should have no trouble in getting this registered. I hope that you will soon have your business in such a condition that you can give a little time and thought to this, if we still want to go on with the manufacture and distributing of this.

I’m also enclosing you thirty-five dollars. This is rather a small amount for the first fifteen days of the month, but we’ve had to use a little postage sending out a number of letters, also getting some new stationary and new cards printed. There’ll be some more though I’m sure in the next few days, as there are several others on hand that we should get some returns from.

Trusting this finds you feeling real good, entirely rested from your trip, everything going fine, and with kindest personal regards from all here,

Sincerely, Edgar Cayce EC:GD

R7. 7/27/25 See 1800-4 re. manufacture and distribution of Radio-Active Appliance. In fact, 1800-4 through 1800-11 deal with the Appliances.

R8. 10/8/25 See EC’s letter to Mr. [779] saying he is expecting MHB soon to get the Ipsab Corporation started to manufacturing.

R9. 10/25/25 See 1800-12, next general reading re. marketing and exploiting of pyorrhea remedy, then called Ipsab.

R10. 11/26/25 Mrs. Goodrich’s ltr. to EC:

Nashville, Tenn.

Mr. Edgar Cayce, Virginia Beach, Va.

Dear Sir:

I want to thank you very kindly for the pyorrhea remedy which you recently forwarded me, and am enclosing herewith my check for $1.00 covering same.

It has indeed helped me wonderfully, my gums have ceased bleeding and the soreness is most all out of my gums.

I want to again thank you and wish to say when I have finished with this bottle, I will order another from you.

Very truly,

(Mrs.) Lorena C. Goodrich 2128 Capers Ave.

R11. 1/18/26 See Mr. [8]‘s letter under 8-4, Par. R8, R9, in re distributing Ipsab.

R12. 1/27/26 Ltr. from Capehart-Carey Corp. to Mr. [8]:

Capehart-Carey Corporation (Letterhead) General Advertising Agents Times Building New York

Mr. [8]:

Our Mr. Isaacson informs me, that you have a Pyorrhea Remedy [See [1800]], which you want to market, but having no details or descriptions of the article, it is impossible for us to give you an intelligent program at this time.

The writer would be very pleased to go into the matter intelligently at your own convenience, and later work out a campaign to advertise your goods.

I am enclosing a proof or two of some advertising we ran for Johnson & Johnson, the world’s greatest surgical dressing manufacturers, and who also put out tooth powders, shaving creams etc.

We are very closely connected with the medical profession and drug trade, and may be able to direct a successful undertaking for you.

Trusting that I may have the pleasure of going into further details, beg to remain,

Yours very truly, CAPEHART-CAREY CORP. [signed] Charles Capehart, President.

P.S. We can arrange for one of the largest Drughouses in New York, who has many commission houses under their supervision throughout the United States, to distribute and sell your product, when it is ready for the market.

R13. 1/28/26 Mr. [8] wrote EC he had visited MHB and got “brushed off,” did not trust him, and wanted to work direct with EC regarding Ipsab proposition.

R14. 2/4/26 EC’s letter to Mr. [8]: Now, [8], in regards to what you say about Morton’s attitude regarding the proposition that you worked up, in respect to the Gum-ese, or Pyorrhea Remedy, I’m a little bit of the opinion that you jumped at a conclusion too quick. You must consider the awful strain this boy has been under for the last two or three months. Perhaps he has never said anything to you about it - but he has, more than most any man you have ever come in contact with; and when a fellow is OVER-BURDENED, he often times is misunderstood in his answer, when someone is discussing a proposition with him. However, as I can see from the letter Mr. Capehart wrote you, they want a great big lot of money, unless I’m a long ways off, for this advertising, and the Ipsab Corporation hasn’t got it, and Morton doesn’t want to advance it yet, until he knows something more about what’s going to happen. We’ve had another proposition or two, that to me personally would have been VERY satisfactory to have let them take hold of it, BUT the other members of the Corporation didn’t see fit to put up the coin it takes, and as you well know, I haven’t got it! I know we have an exceptional article, one that will do the work, one that is worth a whole lot, and is a big money-maker; but it takes some money to make money. Just how we’re going to do it, and start out at it, I don’t know. Maybe let it drag along for years and then never do anything. But, I don’t think you should fall out with Morton about this just yet. I can see your side of it, and I fully appreciate what it means to a man to be “sat upon” as it were, but just don’t work too fast! It’ll be safer, better, to go just a little bit slower, and I believe we’ll get along a heap father.

I certainly appreciate, though, your writing me as you did, and I feel wholly in sympathy with you; yet, as I said before, I believe you passed judgement too quick.

R15. 2/17/26 Letter from [779] to EC: ”…I do hope Blumenthal will soon be OK again. I am going to tell you about a funny dream I had about Blumenthal & myself Sunday night the 14th [2/14/26] something like this: He and I were at a house somewhere. I don’t know who’s home or where at, but he and his wife […] were there. I met her and I can now see her plain. He and I went into a room and talked about putting out the Ipsab [1800] and the plan to make and market it. He asked me where I wanted to start it, I said Norfolk, Va., then retired for the night. Waking up through the night I found that I was in bed with him. I woke him up and said I am sorry that I have kept your wife up - I know she wants to be with you. So I got out [of] bed and dressed. What do you think can be in that dream?…” [GD’s note: I could find no answer of EC’s to this letter.]

R16. 10/9/26 See 900-272, Par. 8-A, 9-A in re future of Ipsab.

R17. 4/13/65 GD’s note: Miss Margaret H. Gammon gave me the note below, and the ESSO FARM NEWS article [See Source File Key #1800 for the ESSO FARM NEWS article - Summer 1958 re 1800-3], which she received in July 1958 from S. B. Penick, Jr., whose mother was Miss Gammon’s mother’s cousin. Knowing how often the Edgar Cayce readings referred people to S. B. Penick & Co. for the crude drugs, she felt that we would be interested in preserving the article. She told me that her mother’s brother helped to finance S. B. Penick, Sr. when he first started the company

[enclosed note] FROM THE DESK OF S. B. PENICK, JR. July 9, 1958

As a stockholder I thought you might be interested in the article about our Meadow Springs Farm in Pennsylvania which appears in the attached ESSO FARM NEWS, on Page 16.

This publication is distributed free to hundreds of thousands of farm families throughout the country.

S. B. P., Jr.

R18. See Source File Key #1800 for “THE STORY OF S. B. PENICK - THE HOUSE OF BOTANICALS” Reprinted from MEDICAL TIMES - 4/60, re 1800-3.

R19. 3/26/67 (Easter Sunday) Mrs. Gammon’s ltr. to Mr. Penick, Jr.:

Margaret H. Gammon 217 75th St. Virginia Bch., VA 23451

S. Barksdale Penick, Jr. 168 Gates Avenue Montclair, N.J.

Dear Barkie-

Please excuse my typing this; my handwriting is rather shaky these days and, anyhow, cannot keep up with my thinking.

I appreciate your letter of February 27, and quite understand about your not being able to use the painting. It seemed to me I remembered your father collecting wildflower drawings and paintings and therefore the company might have gone a bit farther afield in art collections. I will find some use for this painting. I.B.M. might want it - they have a fine arts department.

Something quite interesting and remarkable has come to light in connection with the S. B. Penick & Company and the readings of Edgar Cayce. I doubt if you all know how you have played a part in it all.

First, let me ask if you have read Jess Stearn’s book, EDGAR CAYCE: THE SLEEPING PROPHET? If not, have you read THERE IS A RIVER, by Thomas Sugrue; or MANY MANSIONS by Gina Cerminara? THERE IS A RIVER is available in paperback books. It is a biography of Edgar Cayce.

The Jess Stearn book is among the top non-fiction best sellers and I do urge you to read it.

As you would learn from THERE IS A RIVER, Gladys Davis Turner was Mr. Cayce’s secretary and took down in shorthand the great majority of reading he gave in trance. Gladys is a good friend of mine, whom I see at least once a week. About a year ago when I was going through my files, I took out the history of the SBPCo to show her, because I know Mr. Cayce advised the use of many unusual raw and crude drugs as remedies in his Physical readings. To my amazement, she said that many, many people were advised to write to the company, then only in Asheville, to obtain drugs they could not obtain elsewhere. This happened as early as 1925, as you will see from Gladys’ note at the bottom of the first of the 3 reading-samples I am enclosing.

Forgive me for bothering you if I am mistaken in thinking all this would be of interest to you or the others.

I never knew Mr. Cayce. As you may or man not know, I moved down here to do writing for the Association (for Research & Enlightenment, Inc., abbreviated as A.R.E.), because the readings came through in archaic, King-James-Bible version English, and I thought should be presented to the public in better English. Also many subjects needed researching. The first book I did was on the subject of diet, titled THE NORMAL DIET. I will send you a copy of you want to see it, though I doubt it.

If ever you or others of the Penick tribe are at Virginia Beach and don’t look me up, I certainly will take it very unkindly. Your Mother would be very unhappy that we don’t keep in closer touch with one another. She was very family-conscious, as are all of us children of my mother. Bill would just adore seeing you and entertaining you in Bristol. (He has a granddaughter, did you know? Jane’s first baby.)

I think you should trek down to your birthplace sometime and point it out to Evie. Also Turner’s Drug Store - or where it used to be. Bristol is growing like a house afire, and is a very beautiful spot. Also you could show Evie 324 Sixth Street, our old homeplace, where your Mother and Father did all their courting.

If, when I pass on, anybody up there has an inclination to send flowers, I hope that instead there might be a contribution to the ARE Library building fund. We have the largest collection on esoteric subjects to be found in the United States, and it is severely crowded now.

I hope you all stay well and that this Easter season is one of joy for you all.

Affectionately, Margaret

R20. 10/3/84 GD’s note: These are references to cases where the S. B. Penick Co. was mentioned as source for crude drugs:

NAMES:ORGANIZATIONS MENTIONED:PENICK,S.B., 5671-11 F 34, Par. 1-A

NAMES:ORGANIZATIONS MENTIONED:PENICK,S.B., & CO., 2945-1 F 27, Par. 8

NAMES:ORGANIZATIONS MENTIONED:PENICK,S.B. & CO., 2714-1 F ADULT, Par. 6 NAMES:ORGANIZATIONS MENTIONED:PENICK,S.B. & CO., 325-66 F 63

NAMES:ORGANIZATIONS MENTIONED:PENICK,S.B. & CO., 304-45 M 83, 19-A

Background

Background

B1. See 1800-1 through 1800-2.

Mentioned Entities

Ohio, Dayton Ohio, Morton Blumenthal, New York City, Jess Stearn, Gladys Davis, Thomas Sugrue, A.R.E. (Association for Research and Enlightenment), Dreams, Gertrude Cayce, Gina Cerminara, Virginia Beach, Alkaline Diet, Hugh Lynn Cayce, Photography (Atlantean), Prophets, Purpose

Source: The Complete Edgar Cayce Readings, A.R.E. CD-ROM (2006). Reading 1800-3, ReadingID 8117.