Zerret Applicator

The Zerret Applicator is a plastic dumbbell-shaped device containing a tube of a substance called "Zerret water" that, when held with both hands at either end, would generate "Z-rays", which would reputedly cure the user of a variety of ailments. It was invented and manufactured by William Ferguson, with sales managed by his associate, Mary Stanakis, both of whom were ultimately charged and found guilty of "sending a misbranded article interstate" for their troubles; at trial, a government chemist tasked with investigating the device found the "Zerret water" to be ordinary tap water.