Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1890-09-29
AFTER THE QUACKS.
The Southside Medical Society to
Consider the Question of
PROSECUTING THE PRETENDERs.
Several Victims of Their Unskilled and
Ignorant Treatment.
REST IN BED PRESCRIBED FOR A HORSE

The Southside Medical Society, at its regu-
lar meeting tonight will discuss prospec-
tive movement against quack doctors. The
legitimate medical practitioners have run
across an unusually large number of victims
of this class of individuals, recently, but
within the past few days two people have
had to undergo serious surgical operations,
on account of unskilled treatment at enor-
nous prices.
The Southside probably contributes more
patients to quacks than any other section OF
the city, and the physicians have no end of
trouble with these cases and they have fire.
quently talked of trying to restrict the
practice, but have hitherto withheld action
because they would Immediately be charged
with being prompted by narrow spirit of
persecution.
The first of the two cases mentioned was
that of a well-known woman on Mt. Oliver,
who had engaged with city quack who ad-
vertises in glaring, black-faced type, at the
rate of $75 for six months treatment. Her
ailment consisted of a sore in one of her
ankles After the quack had proven his
lack of either know ledge or skill the woman
went to DR.. O'Connor, OF Knoxville, but
not until it was too late. Colloid cancer
had set in and amputation became necessary,
and DR.. O'Connor performed the operation.
ALSO LOST A LIMB.
The other case also resulted in tine loss OF
a limb. A young man named Davis had
been treated for six weeks for cancer of the
heel, and, as is claimed by one OF the physi-
clans who subsequently attended him,
Through the cruel and criminal handling
the cancer grew into large caulifower
mass. The young man was removed to the
Southside Hospital, where it was necessary
to amputate the whole leg in order to save
his life"
A third incident that is probably as anus
ing rs it is held to be outrageous, is the case
of well-known Southsider, who was told it
would take six weeks to cure him. After
he had been under the quack's care for
nearly half that time, without any apparent |
improvement, he called upon a reputable
physician. got single prescription filled,
and was we'll man in two days.
One of the Southslde physicians, who will |
push the matter before the meeting tonight, |
said last evening: "The need of getting rid |
of the quack is becoming more apparent |
every day. The principal reason we physi- |
clans do not interest ourselves to greater |
extent is because we would be placed before |
the people in false light. The quack. by |
virtue of the means under his control, |
attracts victims and manages to make the |
foolish ones who patronize him believe in
him, with the result that the honest and |
physician finds himself
abused in his endeavors to save So
ciety from these pests. The quack is some
thing of Barnum, without Barnum's abil-
ity, but with a species of cunning which
ever impels him to take advantage of GER
tain general weaknesses in mankind in
order that he may dupe them.
"For instance: There is the quack who,
like the old-time millwright, prayed, await
ing some great physical and spiritual crisis,
and who is victim of his own silly visions.
This medical quack believes himself the
possessor of a peculiar genius for the cure
Of the various ailments OF men. He is satis-
fed with what he believes an intuitive
knowledge of diseases, and in application
of his extraordinary gift he seeks some
novelty as the instrument or medium by
which he may excite the attention of credu-
Gus people and draw them into his doubt
ul care.
JUST A SAMPLE CASE.
ga quack OF this description was lately
yiven some hair for examination. He pro-
,ounced the patient to be sufferer from
diabetes, and advised rest in bed, with an
occasional emetic. The patient turned out
o be a horse, and the results of the treat
nent would be exceedingly interesting.
Another typical species of quack is the
who combines, in singular ad-
mixture, medicine and religion. He COM
pounds his own prescriptions and precedes
lis treatment by religious exercises. But
10 matter how brilliant the process of med
cation the relapses are inconveniently
numerous, and it was one of this class who
reated Mr.. Davis"
DIR. E. A. Murdorf was also seen. He
aid: There is not regular physician in
he city who could not crowd his Office with
patients, and make money by the thousands,
f he were willing to turn quack. 1t would
Tot be necessary to advertise one-tenth of
he cures he makes. But, fortunately for the
interests of humanity and our ever-advanc-
ng and benifcent art, no honorable member
f the regular profession could be persuaded
o take such a fatal departure from the
'aths OF professional right and duty"
1t was reported that DIR. Wood had also
ssisted in an amputation, made necessary
v improper treatment under quack, but
e said he was not present. He was to have
ssisted in the operation, but was prevented
" other DrofessioDal busi ness from doinu so |