As part of his medicine shows, Clark Stanley catches snakes, supposedly extracts their venom in front of an audience, and then sells the product live from the stage. Stanley claims to have been taught by a Hopi elder for two years, and also refers to the use of snake venom, which is a traditional part of Chinese medicine, by Chinese laborers building the railroads.

However, Stanley's products are discovered to be comprised of mineral oil and coloring. This is an example of the widespread profiteering, coopting, and false advertising of Native and Chinese traditions by white people in this era that both lends these traditions "legitimacy" to some white audiences, while also contributing to mistrust in "non-scientific" products.