The united opinion. [volume] (Bradford, Vt.) 1881-1970, 1886-10-08
,,ALEs FOR DOCTORS.
MARVELLOUS MEDICAL SUPeRSTI-
TlONS OF THE MIDDLE tCES.

|
Curious Old Books-A Gnmbier Turned
Quack-sIonumental Creduiity OF the
Parisians Many Years Ago.
Some Industrious calculator has discovered
that there arc incident, or at least possible
to human life no less than 2,400 distinct dis
orders with which the physician must con
tend. In tho midst of such an array Of emo
mics nature contends. "Nature," says q
French philosopher, "is fighting with disease
blind man armed with club-that Is, the
physician--comes to settle tho difference. He
arst tries to make peace, and when he cannot
do this he lifts his club and strikes at random
| II no strikes the disease he kills it; II he
strikes nature he kills the patient. That may
be an uncertain sort of philosophy, but 1t Is
borne out by Napoleon, who once said to one
Of his court physicians: believe me, wc had
better leave off these remedies. Life Is a
fortress that neither you nor know anything
about Why throw obstacles in the way of
its defence! Its own means are superior to
all the apparatus of your laboratories. Med
icine is q collection of uncertain prescriptions,
the results Of which, taken collectively, are
more fatal than useful to mankind"
MEDICAL BOOKS AND PRESCRIPTIONS.
Sir Thomas Browne spends considerable
time In disprovjng common error Of his
time: that healing and the mysteries of medi-
cine were q gift bestowed with coronation
upon royalty. This idea seems to have been
very generally held. In 1910 book was pub
lished entitled, "The Queenes Closet Opened:
or divers things necessary to be knowne col
lected out of sundry books, olde written, and
now brote into one order. The several things
herein contained may be seen in the bookes
and tables followinge, written in the yeare
of our Lorde God, 1910"
The titles of the books were: "First. A
coppyc of all such medicines wherewith We
noble Countesse Of Oxenforde, most charit-
able, in her owne persone, did mayne create
and notable cures upon poor neighbours"
The second book is entitled: "Here beginneth
true coppye Of such medicines wherewith
Mistress Johan Ounstead daughter unto the
worshipfule Mr. John Ounstead, alderman Of
London, hath cured many forlorne and dead
lie diseases" A sample of the prescriptions
is as follows: ITO cure freckles, take the
bloude of hare, annoynte them with it, and
it will doe them away" And another: "For
forgetting and weakeninge of the understand
ing. If the hearte, eye, or brayne of black
profitable agaynste forgetfullnesse and
also contains score Of prescriptions against
lovesickness, and innumerable philters and
love charms.
Germany who called himself the "Rainwater
Doctor" His remedy for all diseases was
this one cure, either applied or taken inwardly.
Wonderful cures were wrought, we are told,
and multitudes flocked after him to be healed.
A GAMBLER TURNED QUACK.
Sanders has story Of O most notorious
gambler of Paris named Mantacinni, who,
having squandered all his fortune, sought to
retrieve his losses by turning quack. He
started his carriage, and made tours of the
country, pompously protesting to effect cures
of all diseases with single touch, or even a
look Failing in this he essayed a holder
claim, that of raising the dead at will. To
remove all doubt he announced that in a GER
tain city he would in fifteen days 60 to the
churchyard and call to life all the dead,
though they had been buried for years. This,
of course, excited general murmur against
him, but he at once went to the magistrate
and asked to be put under a strict guard and
held, to prevent his escape until he had made
good his claim. This inspired the greatest
confidence, and the whole city came to con-
suit the mighty savant and to buy his eau de
vie. His consultations were numerous, and
he received tremendous fees. At length, as
the day drew near, his confederate, who was
attired as his valet, expressed his fear, and
an attempt at escape. The 'doctor"
his shoulders and said: 'You 90
not know mankind-wait." Scarcely had he
spoken when servant brought letter from
a prominent citizen saying: "Sir, the great
operation you are about to perform has broken
my rest and made my life a burden. I have
q wife buried for some years, who was a
fury, andaI am unhappy enough in her
without her resurrection. In the
name of heaven, do not make the experiment,
which have every reason to believe will be
a success 1 will give you fifty louis if
you will keep your secret to yourself"
Soon after two dashing beaux arrived, who
besought him to desist. Their father had
been the greatest miser in the city, and if he
were to return they would be reduced from
the swell of their affiuence to paupery. They
offered him fee of 100 louis, but the doctor
shook his head in doubtful compliance. I'm
came young widow on the eve of
who threw herself at the feet of
The Quack, and with sobs besought him to de-
list. From morning until night fees poured
n, and lett and messengers besought him
% desist. me whole city was in confusion,
10 that the, mayor came and said "Sir,
nave not the least doubt, from my experience
II your rare and wonderful talents, that you
will accomplish easily the resurrection in our
,hurchyard the day after tomorrow, accord
ng to your promise. But, pray you, see
low our whole city is in confusion. Your
experiment. must prove dreadful revolution
n every family. entreat you, therefore,
lot to attempt it, but 60 your way and re-
tore tranquility to the city. In justice, how.
ver to your rare talents, shall give you
under the seal of the city, testify |
ng that you can raise the dead, and that it |
vas our own fault that we were not eye wit |
lesses of your power" And the certificate
dantacinni did receive, and went back to |
Paris loaded down with gold as a result of |
be credulity and superstition of his victims.-
Jhicago Herald.
The Luck Of "Bootles' Baby"
Concerning the most popular of her stories,
Bottles Baby" which, under the title of
Mignon," introduced her to the American