Springfield globe-republic. (Springfield, Ohio) 1884-1887, 1886-12-29
THINK THEY ARE SICK.
ILLS TO WHICH HUMAN
FLESH is HEIR.

People who Insist Upon Being Dosed.
and How They are Accom- IN cd at-d.
Bread Pills and simple SiruP for
Fancisd Ailments.
do you see that lady''
prominent Detroit physician indicated
lady who had just left his Office.
We'll, Shs imaginns she has consumption,
and this is hsr third visit to me. You
needn't look surprised. If | were to tell
her the tTuth-that she hasn't the remOtest
symptoms Of the disease-she would think
me a fool, and go to another doctor. And
if he told her tho truth she would keep on
going until she found a physician who
agreed with her The only way to deal
with persons who think they have consump-
ton Is to huInOr their whim, charge as lit
tie as possible without exciting their suspi
cion, and bring them around perfectly cured
a soon Us they can be made TO believe it.
You have no idea of the number OF intelli-
gent ladies who imagine they have cOnsump-
ton or cancer Some relative or acquaint-
ance of theirs has died with one of these
complaints, and the first time they cough
they are convinced IL Is the beginning of
consumption, and the least little pimple Or
burning sensation drives them almost fran
tic with the thought that a cancer Is form
ing. The only possible way to deal with
this class Of cases is to thoroughly gain the
confidence OF the patient. They watch
the physician like cat, and any hesitation
on his part leads them to either imagine tho
worst or else set him down as incompetent.
II usually ask few direct questions, such
as when the trouble was first noticed, the
exact location and intensity OF the pain, and
then fall into their view OF the matter. |
assure them that they have done a wise
thing in coming to me at once, as, now that
the trouble can be taken in time, there
will be no difficulty in effecting a speedy
cure. A few bread pills and bottle OF
scented sirup are prepared with the greatest
care and particular directions given as to
how they are to be taken. At the neIt
visit | noticed perceptible change for the
better, and am delighted, as l hardly eK-
pected any improvement SO soon. The third
visit shows a complete eradication Of the
acute nature of the trouble, but to provide
aGainSt any return new remedies are ap
piled. At the fourth visit the patient is as
well as anybody, treatment is discontinued,
and l have gained few dollars and life
long friend and patron"
"And there is no quackery about its
"Nct a bit. But if / were to tell the
truth in the first place the patient would
probably fall into the hands Of some unscru-
pulous medic who would scare the life out
OF her and charge dollars where only take
cents"
"To what extent does this sort of practice
| existy'
"Well, il only those who really require a
| physician were prescribed for one-quarter
Of the doctors in Detroit would become
Micawbers. On the other hand. there are
a class Of psople not alone confined to the
| poor who neglect calling n doctor until it is
too late. He gets the case just in time to
make out the death certificate. There are
hundreds of cas-s terminating fatally which
might have been saved if taken in time.
This is very uneven world, my fre.nd,
take it how you will-financially, politi-
cally, socially or incidentally. We boast Of
our enlightenment, but you have no idea
of the superstition existing all around US.
Why, the faith cure has 50 many follow
ers that it has almost grown respectable
So the number Of clairyoyant 'healers'
who maintain themselves in luxury by see
ing the disease and remedy in a trance
AADF h'AAhA 1'df utAV' Sutot-
nuts in their pockets every day Of their
lives to keep off rheumatism, and would
not dare go without ones Not a few, 1 as
sure you. Look at the vast sales of patent
medicines. Now let me tell you something
about these patent medicines. They are
prepared for general consumption, and for
that very reason must Of necessity be with
out virtue. You never hear Of any one
| -; IN, H.. 4
as it would at once stop the sale of the
article. So they are prepared for the most
delicate child and the strongest man-mere
wash. A remedy which will do no one harm
will do no one any good. There are hun
drei other superstitions, but don't know
as | ought 10 be surprised at them. Medi-
cine itself has only reently emerged from
an almost barbaric state. Less than twenty
| five years ago We wers salivating with Gallo
mel, cupping, and blisering. and bleeding
for almost everything. The counter irrit-
ant is still practiced to sme extent"
"What is that
why, II a little boy was beating drum,
and you wished to hush his noise, the way
to do it would be to commence firing can
non. If you have pain in your stomach
put on blister and it will hurt you 50 much
worse that you'll never nOtice the pain.
Msdicated plasters are all right when sp-
| piled 10 extract pain or any deep seated
morbidity, rs has often been proven, but as
a counter irritant regard then as a relic
| Of barbarisIn. But, then, msiicine has
made a wonderful progress in the last
| twenty years, since the homeopathic op-
position legan. 1t woke the old school up,
| and by so doing bestowed an inatimable
boon upon humanity. Its first ideas, re-
| Garding infinitesinal doses, were q much
| to one extreme as the other schools Coses
were to the other. Both schools have
receie,l from their extreme views, and are
| now very near together. Another change
is tb, breaking up of the profession hto
| spec altics A country store contsins
ever ything - hardsare, groceries, dry
| goots, boots and shoes. So it used to Be
with medicine. Only twenty five years age
| you had to 60 20 a doctor to get tooth
| pulled. Now you so to dentist The
eve AMI ear are made one speciality, brain
diseases and insanity another and SO on. II
is impo sible for one mind TO be expert al
| all classes Of diseases 1t is too much tc
| expect a man who amputates a leg TO bc
| able the next moment to prescribe for ar
| infant with marasmus. The dawn is break,
ing. sir, and l am glad to see it. t."-Detroit
| Tribune.
| Bed clothing manufactured from paper
/ nnlD strcn of heDed with tWine Ia OnA O!