The Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1877-1885, 1884-02-19
Nv Visit TO a Quack,


losing health. Having exchanged an
active country life for a sedentary occu-
patton in this city my appetite failed
My digestion suffered. was feyerish,
thirsty and restless through the night,
and when l dozed dreamed of contests
with robbers and murderers. One even
ing | was alarmed to find that had lost
nearly thirty pounds in weight, and as |
passed flaming drugstore, in which
were exposed some Wanted remedies,
observed the entrance to what is called
a doctors office, surmounted by an in
vitation to walk in had already seen
the advertisement Offering free consul
tation, and passed into the consulting
room with sort of doubt as to the pro-
priety of doing SO. A young man stepped
into the room, and informed me
that the doctor would shortly be olsen
gagged. Scarcely had l taken a seat
when | was joined by another searcher
for advice. He began to extol the doc
tors great ability and the wonderful eff
feet of his remedies In a minute or SC
another patient came in, and he began
to recount the story of his recovery from
death. He was joined by third, and
in the course of less than a quarter of
an hour the small office was literally
crammed with persons, all relating Won
derful recoveries.
These gentlemen had apparently met
each other before, and they commenced
the discussion of their respective all
ments and the result of the treatment
they had undergone. They had both
recovered from the jaws of death; they
extolled the doctor and his remedies to
the skies, but it seemed to me suspi-
cious that they should become SO loud and
enthusiastic in the presence of q
stranger, and became little nervous
lest | should be taken in. | was by no
means treasured by the advent of more
| enthusiastic patients, and was not sorry
when the doctor came. He apologizcd
TO all for his detention, and requested
to know who was the first conner He
then requested the remainder to with
draw, and asked my business.
informed him that had been under
the weather, and that, having read his
advertisement and the invitation on his
| q
He proceeded to examine me; he thumped
my chest, applied an instrument to
my lungs and heart He looked at my
tongue and felt my pulse He punched
my stomach and my loins. He declared
hat my digestion was destroyed, that
there was no assimilation of my food,
| that | was wasting away, and unless a
| change was soon made my life would
certainly be lost. | asked if he could
| cure me. He said most certainly, but
that should require long and special
treatment, in addition to the prolonged
use of the special remedies of which he
is the sole possessor on this coast. !
asked the cost. He said one hundred
and fifty dollars, and he proceeded to
make out receipt for the amount. !
said that it seemed to me large fee,
and that it would not be possible for Inc
10 come often to his Office. He said that
| | could come twice week in the even
ing, after business hours, that | should
be made life member of the Institute,
| which would entitle me to medicine
without cost during the remainder OF
my life. asked the nature of his spe-
| full. He said that was his business, not
mine, and that its object was to aid Ma
ture. Seeing that was in no hurry to
hand him out the money, he asked me
how much | had about me-that he
would give me a receipt for that, and
take notes for the balance by install
ments. His anxiety aroused my dor
mant faculties, | became fully awake to
the danger had incurred | now saw
through the wiles of the dummies who
play the part of cappers and steerers
| lost all confidence in the parade OF
scientific methods of examination-iI
the infallible and special treatment o
this vulgar quack. But was afraid tC
beard the tiger in his den, and | assumed
an air of resignation and regret a
not being able to afford the cost of be
ing cured. Ipleaded permission to try
a bottle of his special medicine. Blu
he said it would be useless, and as / wa
preparing to leave his office in convul
sion of despair the doctors manner
changed-and he demanded u fee of fiv,
dollars for the consultation | produced
his advertisement in reply, and he want
! ed 10 KNOW now uiiFed ~ c'lHe AIT
take up his valuable time. Did l sup
pose he had nothing to do but to examine
skallawagS hike me? and l was glad tx
! escape without further interference thai
abuse.
A few days afterward had the salts
faction of consulting a regular physi
clan, and by the aid of a little medicine
and some sound advice | have recovered
rapidly. Ii my experience should de
stroy the faith of one in nostrums anC
quacks, who live by imposing on tn
credulity of the public, the object of thi
article will be entirely gained.
Francisco NelUS Letter.