Telegram-herald. ([Grand Rapids, Mich.) 18??-1892, 1891-05-03
QUACK PHYSICIANS.
PRlGIIGIsc MEDICINE By PROXY
Ss~sas ii-Rsii~rs Play Upon the Ds-
e'sHsAs ss k~pasShls Dssssrs-Hhs
afta@Fhs OF FAIsat Nsdicias
oAkes-s'Last Manhood RestoEsd-s

-N~~@A%<
and would IL they were able, deal very
harshig with the interiopers and irreg-
aizrs who creep into the fold. The
oldest school, termed the allopathic or
regular. Is most severe of al and its
code OF medical ethics Is as firm as
IRON. as irrefrsgabls As the law of the
hedes and fersians. The intolerance
Al fifst glance seems like petty jealousy
aud the code OF ethics seems but pro-
lection FOR selfish personal interests. A
Deter reason exists however for this
condition Of affairs. The only element
mat has shadow of self interest - the
Fostering OF public confidence without
wnicn the profession - almost power
less. A man who Is successful IN any
profession must love that profession
WITH regard that goes beyond the
TACT that IL - TO be the vehicle by which
ne must obtain his living IL 10 his
alma mater Tor life, his chosen goddess.
upon whose altar he lays all the ener-
gees. and the hopes OF his earthly ex-
istence- The harder he works and the
more ne penetrates into the hidden
mysteries, the more he honors and re-
veres the calling he Eas chosen, whether
u De medicine, the law or the gospel.
In consequence of this devotion he
frowns upon the inlerlopers and the
frauds Their presence IS an eyesore
aud their blatant assertions are agra
yatlng insults.
oaackery Inside and Outside.
The term quack is applied to all ir-
regular practitioners but its application
Is too general. Reputable physicians
say that there IL as much quackery in
s.ae the profession as outside of IL; that
there are regular graduates who are
guilty OF empiricism and general quack-
cry. Tney will be- called by pate mt
who has really nothing serious the
matter with him, but by looking grave
and applying high sounding name to
the nialady they convince the victim
that ne Is at deaths door. The delay
OF few hours would have been fatal
and had some other physician been
called the chance of recovery would
have been very doubtful. The victim
II physicked within an inch Of his life
and gwen medicine TO produce depres-
sion, and enervation. Then by long
course of tones and stImulsutsa recov-
cry IS brought about, and the VIC
TINS heart overfiows with gratitude.
When a bill that would scare plumber
comes IN, the gratitude IS somewhat
modified. But the victim reasons that
IL has only cost about tho same as q
funeral. that he IS still alive and should
therefore be thankful. The chances
are that he will employ this same ply
siclan many times before he finds him
out The new State Law governing
medical men was designed to prevent
people who were not properly qualified
from practicing medicine, but the law
has proved 70 be . failure for the pur-
pose intended. 1t permitted all the ig-
norant and experimental phyncians
who had been In practice for five years
and had escaped State prison up TO
date, to proceed with their practice re-
gardlees of their qualifications. Ii
obliged every new practitioner to file q
sworn statements with the county clerk
ate of . reputable medical college, or
has been engaged IN practice for the
required term.
Dssptcabie Medical Thinkers.
The man who will experiment. with
human life for gain. cares very little
for an oath, and 10 ready TO swear to
anything that wSil let down the legal
bars Disqualified medical tinkers can
practice as students under the diploma
OF reputable physician, aud are
many such In this city. They are sup
posed TO be acting subject to the advice
OF the doctor under whose colors they
are sailing. A few days ago . we'll
known ply slcian told Of case of re-
cent occurrence. Two pseudo physi-
Grams who have been practcing in this
city for three years, had been trying to
cut out their benefactor's practice. He
Indignantly withdrew his protecting
warrant. and while the others have
continued IN practice they are fearful
of the law and want protection They
applied to the writer's informant for
the privilege of his diploma, offering
him SIS for his protection. He indig-
pantIy refused. and they went away
hoping 10 find some physician who
would be more lenient. When five
years have passed. these fellows are
free 70 practice. They have sueaked
into an honorable profession. and IN
worthy and unqualified though they
are, they will get share OF the practice
and cast IN odlum upon their fellows.
The Pasens Medicine Artist.
The most successful quack is the
patent medicine doctor who prepares a
compound OF some kind, puts IL up in
fancy bottles and lSbeis and by shrewd
advertising creates q general demand
for II in every part of the country. b.
aus letters CT acknowledgements prais-
ing the rennedy 10 the skies and telling
OF remarkable cures IN the case of each
writer. and compiled in pamphlet form
and sown broadcast over the country
Money rolls in by the scooptuii. Every.
body feels some of the symptoms ol
Approaching death that are mentioned
IN The circulars. and thousands OF bot
lies are sold. The versatility ct the sd'
vert,siox department keeps the remedy
before che people until sometimes mil
Eoua 81 dollars are accumulated BY
man who had nothing but IN old re-
ce,pk hook and = cast iron cheek r
start with.
The euecislise quack 10 full Of guile
And manages - make good fat livinl
cut Of very small capital in the way Of
r,ed,cal skill. His fsvorite victims srs
thoee AFFECTED with diseases OF which
shev Are not proud. and who desire tc
have their infirmities. moral and physa
cnl KENT sccrok They shun the good
ol.i family physician. not because they
doubt hls skili or discretion, but b
cane. thev are ashamed. The wealthy
man v,lf, 3 family or tie eminentiy
rrspertnbIe deacon who falls By tbs
vave,ds and gathers some OF ths
- - 4.-~.~>ft<xxx are rausfaf uFixe1