Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1889-12-10
BEWARE OF QUACKS!
The SOuthside Medical So
ciety on the Warpath.
A CRUSADE TO BE LEVELED
AZ Fictitious and Improper Female
Medical Practitioners,
1T ISSAID TO BE A PUBLIC MENACE

The Southside Medical Society dispensed
with their regular business at their meet
ing, held at the residence of DR.. F. Koeller,
last night, to discuss the advisability of
prosecuting illegal and incompetent male
and female practitioners. There has been
talk of some action being taken in this
direction for some time, and the only reason
it has not been pushed is because of the cry
of persecution, always raised by the bogus
physicians whenever the matter was sug-
gested.
The question has already been before one
of the county medical societies, and action
taken looking toward instituting legal pro-
ceedings. The discussion at the meeting
last night resulted in motion being passed
pledging the support of the Southside Med
ical Society in any steps that might be taken
by the county society to silence the people
who are imposing on the public and iniuring
the medical profession.
MUCH EVIL ACCOMPLISHED.
1t is said that there are hundreds of women
in the two cities who are doing an immense
amount of evil. They are located all over
Pittsburg and Allegheny. but just now they
seem to be practicing largely in Allegheny
and the East End. Some of the most dan
gerous ones are said TO live on the South
side, and that is why the Southside Medical
Society was so ready to volunteer their sup
port in having something done. The women
are considered to be the most disastrous to
the profession. They 90 about making false
representations as to their professional asso-
ciates, and impose on the public by referring
to regular practitioners as indorsing them
In the discussion last night nearly every
physician had some experience to relate
wherein he had been the victim Of an impo-
sition, or where he had been required to ex-
'lcise the utmost care and skill in order to
save the lives of patients who had employed
inexperienced practitioners. As an instance
Of how some are imposed upon one promi-
nent physician said: "About two months
ago lady, the wife of wealthy merchant.
asked me If knew Mrs. -. said did not
We'll, said the lady, she uses your name;
she told me she had been over in consulta-
tion with and assisting YOU in an operation. >
Now, the people who employ these people
on the strength of such statements are
fooled, and employ women who possess
neither skill, conscience nor truth"
THE POLICE INVOKED.
Sometime ago one OF the physicians who
had been victimized in some such manner,
secured the services of Superintendent
O'Mara, of the police department, to work
up the case, and in a shor; time Southside
woman was traced to the East End, where
she had been working in on the confidence
of many of the best known women of that
section of the city. Ali the evidence that
could be obtained was gathered and has been
preserved intact for use in case proceedings
are instituted.
Some of the women are so bold as to not
only follow the vocation of a physician, but
also ply the trade of the apotheeary and
deal out medicin' intended to produce
illegal results But the physicians are in
jured most BY the women representing them
selves as their assistants One physician
learned thai woman had been circulating
the report that hI7 success was due entirely
to his having followed advice given by her
in important cases. The public make the
mistake of employing them on account of a
false modesty with regard to engaging regu-
lar physicians.
1t is very probable tha, at the next meet
ing Of the Allegheny County Medical So
ciety definite action will be taken, as it is
considered that is the proper source from
which action should emanate. The South
side Society favors the appointment of a
committee to take charge of the matter; to
collect names and evidence and to institute
and push proceedings.