The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1868-12-22
BROOK YIN QUAcKS.

bogus Kfoc0tOnorU Oh mc0lCol Cof0o-hu
Old Man Rubbing Down Young Women
with Enthusiastically ~ . Remedial
Asent-Rthiopia Stretching Out . Helping
Hand.
II Is said by those who are able to prove the state
ment by reliable statistics that there are nve
s0-caled 'magnetic", ''clairvoyant," spiritual
healersn to one graduated N. D.-numerous a. the
last mentioned are In this country. How much Of
physiology, how much OF the construction OF the
human frame do these men and women who thus
extensively practise on the credulity OF the public
understand In the age OF miracles this power ef
healing or the laying on Of hands was bestowed
only upon those who embodied some great virtue or
the reward or consequence Of superior temperance
and piety. But what one among the whole List Of
advertised quacKs Is raised above his fellows by
superior temperance or sanctitys In every instance
Mammon, not the love Of God-which, defined,
IL, after ALL the love OF 0ne's fellow creatures
influences these terrible tamperers with life and
and health. When the economy Of the human frame
has been disturbed by any species OF excess, indul
gence or neglect we all know that 1t can only BE-
brought into harmonious action again by slow de-
grees-by the adoption OF an entirely different regt
men-by the most skilful care and study; but th,
fact by not @ few In this enlightened nineteenth
century, seems TO have been entirely set aside, ant
we are daily called upon to curse the folly OF mel
family physician, place their lives in the hands d
those arrant humbugs, who after few weeks q
fleeing and manipulation pronounce the patient
cured. In rheumatic affections any trouble d
the muscular, tendlnous and fbrous textures hand
friction Is invaluable. Did those who pretend u
this OF curing admit the exercise Of their OWL
strong and healthy physical powers disgust In many
cases would be changed to appreciation. New
York stands prominent for the number ant
excellence Of Its graduated pnysicians-men VIII,
have spent years in scientific applicatiOn--who
can show their diplomas earned by diligence
and ability; and yet not few are
entirely overlooked by rapidly increasing number
OF our citizens, from whom we have right to ex-
pect better sense. Several instances, during week
Of medium visiting, were brought to light which, for
blind confidence and sickening detail stand, 70
far as reportorial knowledge extends, unrivaed 1t
would certainly seem that the very acme OF bias
phemy had been reached when the spirits OF the de-
parted invoked to guess at past and present and
prophecy the future but when Ia added this quack-
cry, this pretenson to cure ali manner and descrp-
ton Of diseases by the aid Of Christ and Chnstlike
angels the very essence OF impious rreverenee has
been reached. Do not for moment suppose that
the ignorant and naturally mbecie are the only vic
Tins OF this class OF impostors. BY no means. They
are found among the educated and refined, among
scholars and statesmen. They are consulted and
employed by the inmates OF brown stone mansions,
though scarce ever seen the novels Of the poor,
the almighty dollar Is In every instance the motive
power.
The most insufrerable humbug among this cass OF
professionals Is an old man In o neighb0rnS city.
Parlors are crowded all day and part Of the night.
Five dollars is the lowest price for on examination
and five more for q good brisk rubbing which the
cid fellow goes at with great gusto He has not one
particle Of education Is gross and unrefned making
no pretensons In manner or conversation 10 the
least-I might say-decency lie takes great pride
In his early obscurity and boasts to his numerous
callers that not only did he never have days
schooling In his life, but never desired one
~ kn0wed" he says, '.that the angels would look
out for me; SO larni to shoe horses and by and by
felt this wonderful power and | threw away my
blacksmith's tools and started for New York"
This old man, who arrogates to himself the medl-
cal title OF Doctor, Is now handsomely and centrally
located, rubbing down his patients and administer
ing homeopathic remedies. He does not know aconte
from nux. When l entered the drawing room
about one O'Clock r M. 1t was crowded. SOFAS and
chairs were all flied, and had fine opportunity
"How long have you been III ~ asked a familiar
voice at my side, and looking up recognized o
siBut what's the matter with your" inquired,
answering In true Yankee style.
Ion, I've not been well for some time" she re-
Piled .sTom my husband, used every means IN his
power 70 persuade me IRON coming mere, put Was
bound 10 come, tn0ugn L uOut tell nlm anytulHB
about 1t. It's my turn next"
"What is his method OF heaAngg'' was my next
question.
pie manipulation, and you cannot begin to think
now much am improved
summons came for {" Nextr' and my friend left
me. Have women parted with all their decacy, or
where does the trouble lie that they will submit them
selves to the handling OF man who has nothing on
for OF all the vile, hardened repusiye-lookng
wretches | ever laid my eyes on, this man takes
Insltn srpau A1 I'm unIu
cloak, elegant black silk dress and quantity OF
sparkling diamonds, was engaged IN very earnest
conversation with another younger but equally ex-
pensiyely dressed woman. / heard the elder ask
'.Have yon ever been 10 Madame C.'sr-mention-
ing ''clairyoyant' whom had the pleasure OF sit.
II called on her last week and she Is really won
derful, my dear. You are aware, OF course-all my
friends are--how terribly nv husband drinks. Well,
Madame pr0phesied that he would have an Ill
ness during which he would be insane. she SAID he
would have but two OF these attacks; the last one,
occurring just after his next birthday, would take
(which is soon ~ inquired her companion with
noncnalance never saw surpassed.
"ies the 10th OF next month";
"Then he has had the first attackr'
ss0n, yes: Just a. she said. You never saw any
thing ike It, She Is remarkable"
looked INTO the face or this woman who thus
coolly talked OF the death OF her husbnnd but there
nothing singular or strklngy ugly about II. The
same expression one will meet hundred times In
walk from Canal street TO Stewards. But II really
seemed to me that woman capable OF such dread
ful speculation would not he whit too good 10 help
the poor fellow into another country. There are
probably those OF both who, II their coEnpan-
ions were prepared. would gladly be al the expense
OF funeral but this easy. oii-hand conversation In
regard TO Il was decidedly q ne. feature TO me.
.How did You like the treatmentri asked q lady
a. we came out.
I entered the room the doctor came up TO me and
simply remarked, You are bilious "
"what course OF treatment do you pursue In that
casef" | inquired.
an show you Just undress yourself and throw
this shawl over your shoulders. Will be back In
moment. cured lady the other day az bad az you
are with three rubbings,n and the mountebank
walked into the back piazza. Giving the shawl
a whirl, which from its used appearance must have
done duty for lengthy period, made out OF the
room more than ever alive TO the fact that the foos
are not all dead yet
did not wonder that tom" objected to the wife OF
his bosom submitting to these disgusting man.
ipulations left disguised. IL strikes me that any
thing under heaven should entite man to divorce
II s conduct the above. Can there be no law
to reach these impostors-tnese ignorant, sensu0us
men who gull respectable women into the belief In
their infaibility. The decentralization consequent
upon the continuance OF these abominable practi-
TONERS must be apparent to all those who look At