The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1883-08-11
MIRACLE OR SCIENCE, wHHCns
Cases Bordering On ahe MirRcu7eus-A
HEarYeIOus Healer.

MarVeIOuaS he&ASF.
The writer had heard and read much of the
wonderful cures effected by DR.. F. a. Smith, the
newly disco vered magnetic healer, and many Of
the stories related to him partook so largely ola
marvellous, if not miraculous, nature that he paid
little, if any, attention to them. So many quacks
come and go to and from the city, attended by
brass bands, and heralded by advertisements and
promises to cure any and every disease to which
flesh is heir, or which only exists in the morbid
Imagination of hippoeondriscs that the stories
which reached him of DR.. Smiths cures fell
on inattentive ears, although he noticed that
DR.. Smith was pursuing his work in q very
quiet way and was apparently seeking no notori-
ETY.. The writer was also assured from time to
time by Mr.. Crttenberger, deputy secretary Of
state, a most intelligent and reliable gentleman,
that he had seen with his own eyes most remark
able instances of instant relief in nervous affec-
tions, and had been present when the doctor had
correctly diagnosed complicated cases without
even asking . single question from the patient,
and his diagnosis had been confirmed by eminent
physicians who had been called in and made care
full examinations without any knowledge of DR..
Smiths previous visit. The writer had also
heard that newspaper men of intelligence had
pronounced themselves astonished by the apti-
tude of DR.. Smiths diagnoses, and that Ed. Hast
ings, Esq, formerly chief of the bureau of Public
Printing, had expressed a lively sense of wonder
at the almost Miraculous success of the doctor in
cases which had come under his notice.
So at last the writer told the doctor that he
would like to interview some of his patients pri-
vately and learn what they really thought of the
magnetic treatment. ''Privately or publicly, just
as you like said DR.. Smith. 'WhiIe | am not
seeking notorietyI / am not seeking to conceal any
secret of my practice. 1 have nothing to conceal,
/ give no medicines, 1 have no secret prescrip-
tions, and no mystery of any kind which I wish
to hide from the public gaze. | am a magnetic
healer; that is all. Call at any time, day or night,
at my office, room s Vajen's Exchange Block,
sc North Pennsylvania street, and if l am inI
will answer any question you may ask, or il
patients are under treatment you are ~atliberty to
watch every movement l make, or PROFOUND
any question that you may wish to the patient.
This kind invitation was often extended to the
writer, whom DR.. Smith knew to be skepticsl as
to his magnetic powers, but it was not until a few
days ago that i twas accepted. The rooms occu-
pied by DR.. Smith in Vajen's Block are lofty and
we'll lighted and plainly but substantially
furnished; there is nothing snowy or imposing
aboutthem, nothing to excite the wonder or ad-
miration of a visitor more than in going into any
citizens neatly equipped sitting room. DR..
Smith himself is a tall young man, apparently
over six feet in height, and heavily built; he j:
u~nassuming and gentlemanly in appearances; there
is certainly do display of the jewelry or long hair
or outlandishly cut clothes or eccentric hat which
quacks often adopt to excite attention; but indeed
the personal appearance of Smith is well known
to a large number of people, and especially to the
senators, representatives, and politicians of the
state, as the gentleman who occupied the honor
able and responsible position of clerk TO the SEN
ate in the session of 1925.
DOCTORS WIFE.
Calling at Room 8 in Vajen's Block on TUESDAY
morning entirely unannounced the writer found a
remarkably refined and intelligent elderly lady
upon whom d.. Smith was operating; the opera
ton consisting apparently of a series of passes
such as noted mesmerists use and friction of the
hands. The lady was introduced as Mrs. J. w.
Westerield, of Anderson, in this state; in reply to
enquiries made, she said | am q resident o fAnder-
son, and have been for many years. My husband
was formerly a practicing physician in that city.
For nine years have been a sufferer from what
the doctors call membranous rheumatism; while
my whole system was affected my hands were
most peculiarly so; you can see, continued Mrs.
'Westerheld, drawing the writer's attention to her
hands that the Joints of my fingers are still consid-
erably enlarged, but that is nothing to what they
were three weeks ago, before submitted to DIR.
Smiths eatment why, | couldn't close nv hand.
and now you see what | can do. She closed her
fist as neatly as a pugilIst could do. What doc
tor had you employed. before DR. Smith? Every
one Of note in my city, and | had visited the noted
mineral springs and baths ofthe west which are
celebrated for rheumatic cures; but | got no bet
ter, rather worse; Icould not use my hand TO
write; l was pronounced incurable. But now |
do my own work in the no use, and this morning
wrote a long letter as well as could when | was a
young girl My general h ealth is also greatly I'M
proved. had rheumatic fever last year which
left me in a pretty enfeebled condition and sub
ject to nervous headache, from which l was re-
iIeved by DR. Smith on his first treatment"
How long have you been under DR.. SMITH"
was asked.
"qh a very short time, about three weeks"
"Have you had treatm ent every day p
e"oh no. only a few times"
Have you taken any medicine while under
''No, indeed. the cure is due solely to the mag