Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1884-1886, 1885-04-23
A SCAMP.

One of the most contemptibiy mean I'M
posters that has ever infested this city Is
nov plying his sneal<ing devices to secure
various sums OF money from unfortunate
deceived persons under the pretense of heal
ing the sick. This msn styles himself a
doctor: and has now been operating his
cheeky jaws and lying tongue TO gull those
who VIII listen 10 his pslaver from two to
three months. The rnodus operandi Of this
man il about as follows: During the busy
day in the absence Of the husband or male
head Of the house he calls at the house end
enters without being asked, as soon as the
lady opens the door, (tha; Is if the lady has
nc. presence of mind enough TO stop him
the moment fe attempts it, Once in the
house he asks If there i not some-
ore therein sick. II tao answer is
in the affirmative he insists On seeing the in
valid, announces himself as a great doctor
and able to cure the disease. His arguments
and assertions, importantly and cheek are
often very persuasive, and be manages to
sell for s. to SO some of his worse than
vslueiess nostrums, and leaves the sufferer
in state of dreadful uncertainty. If the
sick one is under the care of respectable
physician he preys upon the fears, weakness
and crciulity Of the patient until he has
overcome his or her scruples for the time, to
consent TO take this chsrleton's vile stuff,
and be,ray the trust, confidence and esteem
of worthy physician.
In case there is no person in the house
that is an acknowledged invalid land often
when there is), the wretch Immediately
bring- all his tactics 20 his aid to impress on
the mind of the LADY, Of the house herself,
that she needs treatment for herself, and
that he alone can understand her case and
give the remedy. She may protest that she
is perfectly well, but he knows better; he Cali
see il. her countenance the footprints Of ter
rible disease; the vital organs are in state
OF degeneration. He questions her closely
if She has not felt rertain insidious pains and
uneasy sensations, the sure prelude of early
death, otc., and finally EFFORTS confession
solely of imaginary symptoms conjured
up ~ tie villisn'- artful questions and
lying statements. By thi, trickery lie
oflsn succeeds in making well and
healthy woman sick, and q feeble woman
he almost frigh,cns 70 death. Having So
cured lie victim he pocket. all the money
he ran get and make himself scarce in that
house IF lady proposes 10 wait for her
husband - ba consulted hcfore she Is
treated, the doctors time is very precious,
he c5EBo, wait, 10 Ia not necessary. When
asked 81 hero his otiice is or his boarding
house he evades an answer if possible, says
he always goes TO the patients house, never
receives calls, and therefore i, is of no con-
sequence. IT pressed for the information
he gives various places e: differ
ent times bu, generally mum
bles indis;inctly and rapidly some
number and Topeka avenue Very unhsp
py results have happened in several cases
where persons have been deiudel by the
sneak scoundre. 4 woman depressed snd
iespondent Is his best case. One estinsble
LADY n this city whe had been ailing for
some lirne and WAS discouraged, although
she aas under the care Of an excellent ply
stefan. was barely saved by the Interference
oi q i.ierd from being ,ictimized By the
quack. -he is now in perfect health sEd
cieeriulness.
1t NAY seem very strange that sensible
men and women will allow themselves TO be
duped by such fraud, hut if the reader
viii reflect he viii recall many instances in
which persons Of eminent abilities have
hoen caught by wh-t ough, {" be transpsr-
on. hurnbugs. and physiology. pathoIog,
therapeutics are the lesst understood Of all
tho various sciences that relate
t. our physical comfort The
lex. in their despcraticn ~" often ready to
'ry anything, and specially that which i
"a them new and mysterious. But By what
ever name or prctense 4 man viii presume
- come unbidden and stranger TO your
house and urge lis inmates to let him tsmper
with their health. he deserves 70 be kicked
out, and W. say, kick him out, and if you
can't kick him out, send for mule police