The Delta independent., 1889-04-09
..EorroRs BACK STAIRS"
The Interesting Views Of the Late Dr..
j. q. Holland.

" Ss stVu0ssos
The columns Of the newspapers ap-
pear TO be flooded with proprietary
medicine advertisements. As we cast
our eye over them, 1t brings to mind
an article that was published by the
late DR.. Holland in Scribner's Monthly.
He says: Nevertheless, 1t is fact
that many ofthe best proprietary medi-
cines OF the day were more successful
than many physicians, and most Of
them, it should be remembered, were
ut first discovered or used in actual
medical practice. When, however,
any shrewd person, knowing their
virtue, and foreseeing their popularity,
secures and advertises them, then, in
the opinion of the bigoted, all virtue
went out of them"
Is not this absurdp
This great man appreciated the real
merits OF popular remedies, and the
absurdity of those that derided them
because public attention was called to
the article and the evidence Of their
cures. II the most noted physician
should announce that he had made q
study Of any certain organ or disease
of the body, or make his sign larger
than the code size, though he may
have practised medicine and been q
leader in all medical counsels, notwith-
standing all this,h he should presume
to advertise and decline to give his
discovery to the public, he would be
pronounced quack and humbug, al
though he may have spent his entire
life and all his available funds in per-
fecting his Investigations.
Again We say, "absurd."
If an ulcer is found upon ones arm,
and is cured by some dear old grand
mother, outside OF the code, 1t will be
pronounced by the medical profession
an ulcer Of little importance. But II
treated under the code. causing sleep
less nights for q month. with the scien-
tiiic treatment, viz, plasters, washes.
dosing with morphine, arsenic and
other vile substances, given to pre-
vent blood poisoning or deaden pain,
and yet the ulcer become malignant,
and amputation is made necessary at
last, to save life, yet all done accord
ing to the ..isms" OF the medical code,
this is much more gratifying to the
medical profession, and adds more dig
rity to that distinguished order than
to be cured by the dear old grand
mothers remedy.
This appears like q severe arraign-
ment, yet we believe that 1t expresses
tho true standing Of tho medical pro-
fession in regard to remedies discov-
cred outside Of their special ''isms."
One OF the most perplexing things Of
the day is the popularity OF certain
remedies, especially Warmers Safe
Cure, which we find for sale every
whore. The physician OF tho highest
standing is ready to concede its merits
and sustain the theories tho pro-
prietors have made - that is,
that it benefits in most Of the ailments
OF the human system because It assists
in putting the kidneys in proper con-
dition thereby aiding in throwing OF
the impurities OF the blood, while
others with less honesty and expert
ence deride, and are willing TO SEQ
their patient die scientifically, and ac-
cording to the code, rather than have
him cured by this great remedy.
Yet we notice that the popularity Of
the medicine continues to grow year
by year. The discoverer comes boldly
before the people with its merits, and
proclaims them from door TO door In
our opinion much more honorably than
the physician who, perchance, may
secure patient from some catastro-
phe. and is permitted to set bone ofan
arm or finger. which he does with
great dignity, yet very soon after takes
the liberty to climb the editors back
stairs ut 2 o'clock in tho morning TO
have 1t announced in tho morning pa
per that "Dr. So-and-so was In atten-
dance" thus securing for his benefit q
beautiful and free advertisement.
We shall leave to our readers TO say
which Is the wiser and more honora-
BILE.