Union County courier. [volume] (Elk Point, Union County, D.T. [S.D.]) 187?-1913, 1886-02-24
Social Disorders and their Cure.

Ina tnere IS q tendency TO disease,
or at least disorder, in the social body
and brain of which our individual bodies
and brains are particles, is proved by
the fact that Congresses and Legisla-
lures, courts and iails, and poorhouses
are thought to be necessary.
There are several diseases or disor-
ders to which our social system is at
times subject. There is the dyspepsia
of hard times, caused by a weakening
of the social stomach, and q
clogged circulation of the social blood;
there is the fever of war, the malaria of
trade restrictions, the headache that
follows u business debauch, the con
sumption of poverty, and a long list of
other sicknesses causing pain and an
noyance in different degrees.
Social observation-disclosures, poll
~ticians, reformers, and such Of the pop
ulace as care to put out their signs
make careful diagnoses, feeling care
fully Of the public pulse, and name the
cause of the disorder.
One carefully examines the patient,
looks at the tongue, takes the tempera-
ture, listens to the respiration, and feels
the pulse, looks thoughtful, then wise,
and finally pronounces the disorder a
too high tariff on imported goods.
Another, quite as eminent a social NJ.
d., with an excellent practice and half
a dozen diplomas, makes his diagnosis
in a much similar manner, and, after
due delberation, says: "Too free coin
age Of money. You have too much
mercantile blood in circulation. We
must use leeclles."
view the sick man, and ascribe the cause,
some to a reduced tariff, some to too
little silver, some to want of Civil Ser
vice reform, some to the Democratic
party, some to the Republican party,
some to the President, some to Con-
gress, some to the banks, some to the
brokers, some to Vanderbilt, and some
to Gould.
All are eminent physicians but few of
them agree.
While the regulars" are quarrelling,
the "irregulars" take their turn at pre-
scribing. One recommends woman
State socialism, another absolute free
dom of trade, and another anarchy.
While these latter are not looked upon
as eminent social physicians, many of
them use very persuasive arguments,
and show the earnestness of firm con-
viction.
Meanwhile the seeds of the disorder
permeate the whole system, and many
times recovery has been brought about
simply because nature took its course.
When doctors disagree. who shall de-
eide?
Under the present system it must be
the body polite, the brain of the social
system. 1t may take the advice of the
regular" physicians OF of the "irregu-
lars" it may take physic or calomel or
mercury it may trust to the mind cure,
the cold-water cure, or the hot-water
cure; it may take of all the nostrums
advertised on billboards and in news
papers, and peddled about the country
by quacks of all kinds; and it may, if it
thinks best, leave nature to affect the
cure unaided.
1t is, probably, better that the social
physicians do quarrel among them
selves, for, if they were to agree, their
agreement might be upon a poison
whose effect would be disastrous, if not
deadly.
The social system has strong vitality,
and when sick the thendency is always
toward health. An occasional purging,
like that given by war. is doubtless
needed, but homeopathic treatment is
better for most of its disorders.
Save us from those doctors who make
snap diagnoses and promise immediate
cures, whether they treat the body
human or the body polite, whether
they cry nostrums in bottles or nos
trums in books.--C. N. Hammond, in
Boston Globe. +.