Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1880-08-20
BOGUS MEDICAL DIPLOMAS.
The Principle Offender Indicted
An Incident In Connection
With Ono Of Buchanan's
Graduates.

Two clOck IllS AFTERNOON the grand
jury brought in a true bill against
Doctor" John Buchanan, of bogus
diploma mill' fame, charging him
with using the mails for fraudulent
purposes. Buchanan was not in court
when the indictment was announced,
but his counsel promised that he
should be produced tomorrow morn
ing. If no obstacles are thrown in
the way Of justice there is every prob
ability that this man will receive his
just deserts and the community be rid
of dangerous charlatan.
Apropos of DR.. Buchanan's present
ment by the grand jury curious case
was developed in the arrest to-day of
an alleged practitioner, known as
Doctor" David Wright, one of Bu-
chanan's graduates. He was charged
with practicing medicine under cover
of "sheepskin" obtained from the
bogus college. The doctor, gaunt,
gray headed man apparently about
seventy years of age, following the
dual calling of minister and doctor,
was brought into prominent notice by
remarkable certificate of death to
which he had attested. A negro
child whom he had been attending
died, and the pseudo medical man
certified that its demise had been
caused by "collary fantum." This
perversion of good old Anglo-Saxon
brought the preacher doctor up on a
round turn, and at the coroner's in
quest he was called to testify as to his
proficiency in the mysteries OF medi-
cine and explain, if possible, the hid
den meaning intended to be conveyed
by his certificate as to the cause Of
death.
Doctor David Wright" called the
coroner, and in response a tall, elderly
man emerged from the crowd and
took position in front of the jury.
After being sworn, he was asked,
Where do you live?"
"A little louder. am a little
deaf . said the doctor"
Where do you reside?" was repeat
ed by the coroner, in a loud tone Of
voice.
I'm the rear of No. 73l Alaska
street"
How long have you practiced med.
icine?"
"Slnce 1850, when received my di
ploma."
(Which diploma is that?"
ut is dated-you can see for your
sell" said Wright, pointing to the rol
Of sheepskin lying on the desk in from
of the coroner.
Where did you graduate from?"
From Eclectic Medical College, OF
| Pine street"
What did you do that entitled yor
to the diplomat"
81 attended two courses of lee
ures."
AT Eclectic Medical College?"
"Yes, sir"
Now, how many lectures did yor
attend?"
"All of them for two years"
"Well, how many lectures were
there, altogether
About eight.
Did you pass any examination?'
YES, sir. They examined me in
medicine"
Did you answer all questions cor,
rectly2"
II think 1 did, as far as I was
able"
You are also a clergyman, are you
not2"
"Yes sir, am.
"Of what denomination?'
Methodist Episcopal"
How do you charge for prescrib.
ing?"
MY charges are 81 a visit, but
take less, according to circumstances.
How much did your diploma cost
you?"
About 500"
! This is a fair sample of the lore oI
the cheap doctors turned out by the
Pine street concern, competent
Judges estimating that there are no
less than twelve hundred licensed and
unlicensed quacks plying their ne
farious calling in Philadelphia.