The Grenada gazette., 1889-03-28
"EDiTOR'S BACK STAIRS"
The Interesting Views Of the Late DIR. J.
G. Holland.

| G. Holland.
The columns Of the newspapers appear 70
be Hooded with proprietary medicine adver
tisements. AS we cast our eye over them.
1t brings 10 mind an article that was pub.
Eshed by the late DR.. Holland in Scribner's
Monthly. He says: "Neveriheess, it is a
fact that many OF the best proprietary med
tcines OF the day were more successful than
many physiclans, and most OF them, 1t
should be remembered, were at first dis
covered or used in actual medical practice
When, however, any shrewd person, know
ing their virtue, and foreseeing their pop
ular'ty, secures and advertises them, then
In the opinion Of tho bigoted, oil virtue
went out OF them"
Ia not this absurdf
This great man appreciated the real
merits of popular remedies. and the absurd
ity OF those that derided them because pub,
Lie attention was called TO the article and
the evidence Of their cures II the most
noted physician should announce that he had
made study Of any certain organ Or dis
ease Of the body, or make his sign larger
than the code size, though he may have
practiced medicine and been leader IN all
medical counsels, notwithstanding all this.
II he should presume advertise and de
cline to give his discovery to the puoic, he
would be pronounced aquack and a hum
bug, although hs may have spent his entire
life and all his available funds in perfecting
his Investigations.
Again we say, 'absurd.'
II an ulcer Is found upon ones arm, and
is cured by some dear old grandmother,
outside Of the code, it will be prom ounce
by the medical profes sion an ulcer of little
importance. But il treated under the code.
causlng sleepless niEhts for month, wftt
The scientific treatment, viz, plasters,
washes, dosing with morphine, arsenic
and other vile substances, given 10 prevent
blood poisoning or deaden pain, and yet the
nicer becomes malignant, and amputatior
Is made necessary at last TO save life, yet
all done according 10 the "isms" of the
medical code, this is much more gratifying
TO the medical profession, and adds mort
dignity 70 that distinguished order than t.
be cured by the dear old grandmother
remedy.
This appears like q severe arragnment
yet we believe that it expresses the true
standing Of the medical profession in regard
TO remedies discovered 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 everywhere The
physician of the highest standing is ready
10 concede its merits and sus ain the theories
the proprletors have made-that Ia, that il
benefits in most OF the ailments OF the b,
man system becauseit it assists in putting thu
kidneys in proper condition, thereby aiding |
in throwing Oh the impurities Of the blood |
while others with less honesty and exper |
ience deride, and arc willing to see thei |
patient die scientifically, lnd according
the code, rather than have him cured by thi,
great remedy.
Yet we notice that the popularity Of the
continues TO grow year by year
The discoverer comes boldly before the peo
pie with its merits, and proclains then
from door TO door in our opinion much NOR
than the physician who, per
chance, may secure q patient from SOM
catastrophe, and is permitted TO set bono
u an arm or a finger, which he does with
great dignity. yet very soon after takes the
liberty 70 climb the editor back stairs at !.
o'clock in the morning to have it announce,
n the morning paper that "Dr. So-and S
vas in attendance" thus securing for hi
,enefita beautiful and free advertisement
We shall leave IL to our reaiers TO say
which Is the wiser and more honorable.