The morning call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1878-1895, 1891-04-23
HIS LIFE SECRET.
A Lively Struggle for a Discovery
in Anesthetics.
Or. Earding's Family Reduced to Poverty by
His Yielding to the Baneful Effects Of
His Marvellous Compound.

One Of the most pitiful cases of human ship
wreck came under the practice OF a well-known
physician Of this city night before last, and he
mentioned the fact TO CALL reporter, who was
investigating the details yesterday.
In small room not far from the corner Of
Market and Eddy streets be found man, woman
and baby. The surroundings were bad, the
room was bare Of furniture and the occupants
were In the lowest depths of squaor, want and
hunger. Tho reporter was used to tough sights,
but this room and its poorly clad occupants gave
him shock that will long be remembered.
The father made NO apology for his condition,
but seemed only too glad to have some one to
talk with for he said that IN fourteen weeks
only three persons had visited him. The wife
seemed 10 feel her cruel lot, but contented her,
tend TO It's lively prattle. During the converse
ton the father said they had i've other children,
but where they were he could not say.
SKETCH OF HIS LIFE.
The personal history Of this man IS quite re-
markable. About fifty years ago, w. {. NJ. G.
Harding was born in London, England. His
family were we'll oil and gave him every advan-
tage OF school and university education. An
uncle of independent fortune took tho boy in
charge, and finding he had liking for dentistry
put him under the instruction OF DIR. Pierepont,
WHO treated the royal family, and paid $500 for
the privilege. After seven years service young
Harding was graduated and soon received COM
missions that would have made him a rich man
had lie stayed in his own country. But lie want.
ed 10 see Inc world, and provided With good al
lowance from his uncle he crossed the ocean and
for some years he Travelled extensively in the
made money, then moved to Iowa and married.
This step was taken without consulting his uncle,
who wrote to Harding that his allowance would
be stopped and all further hopes OF realizing any,
thing from his estate must be abandoned.
HE STARTS ANEW.
The blow was cruel but armed with modest
competence and with health and good prOfes.
sion, the young couple faced the world, and
from that date, nearly twenty years, have not
heard word or any member of the family in old
England. A few years ago they came TO CalifOr-'
MIA and settled In Sufsun, where for while for
tune was smiling, and the father had united with
tile first profession close study OF medicine
and electricity. He was gifted with much me-
chanical skill ana had many of the instincts OF
an inventor. In fact he told the reporter that
his inventions numbered more than two hun
dred. AT length dark days came on the family,
now increased 10 six. fire swept away in one
hour the Office of DR.. Harding his library. costly
implements, nearly every one of which had been
made 10 ORDER and In short time all their say
ings were spent.
They came TO this city three years ago and the
father al once found place In the rooms OF DIR.
Younger Here his peculiar qualifications as an
expert mechanical operative found full scope
and nothing seemed lacking TO regain fame,
fortune and the esteem OF The community.
While IN this advantageous place DR.. Harding
attended the Eclectic Medical College and was
graduated in due season. His friends were
many and for a while he seemed TO be on tho
road 10 become valued member OF the pro-
fession.
HIS DISCOVERY.
In the course OF bis dental practice he dis
covered an anesthetic OF good practical utility.
Berg led TO u careful study OF this branch OF
science he kept on making careful experiments
until now II Is acknowledged that he has
most powerful compound aud Tor some years the
members of his chose n branch have been striY-
ng Wy sse an 70 e ice 60 n
fes sion enjoy its use after his death. This DIR.
Harding has persstenty refused and to-day It
Is doubtful whether he could be induced TO part
with his treasure
Some time ago he got careless with his work
and was finally obliged 10 leave DR.. Younger's
office. This gentleman said last evening that he
was sorry 10 take this step, but was forced to as
his patients would be kept waiting for hours
without any cause. DIR. Harding, he said, was
an admirable operator, and only needed ordinary
prudence IN business matters 10 secure COM
peIence IN any part OF the country.
VICTIMS THEMSELVES.
When asked by the reporter what could have
reduced The family 10 such straits as they were
found IN lie replied that the doctor would use
his pet aneslheiic, and while under Its influence
he was practically worthless. Various attempts
were made 10 break him OF the habit. Once he
was sent to Stockton, but was sOOu released as
there was no ground for holding him insane.
Another time he was retired to Agnews and
soon released. Since then lie has lived pre-
cariOus life until now his case seems hopeless
unless some strong power can be exerted TO cause
INN 10 cease using the Danetul compound. he
has been gradually going down hill and has tried
the patience aud pockets OF his friends until they
have been compelled to call halt
N talking yesterday DIR. Harding seemed to
feel keenly the neglect Of his brother dentists
and physicians OF the eclectic school, and made
some strange statements OF their being indebted
TO him for large sum OF money advanced by
him While in prosperous circumstances.
WANT HIS SECRET.
The reporter saw DR.. Harvey, Secretary OF the
asked Inn If the statements OF Dr. Harding was
true He said they were not, and referred TO DIR.
MacleaD, the Dean of he college. This gentle.
man could not be seen last evening as he had
gone 10 the country.
DR.. Harvey said the case was really one that
called for no sympathy from the Eclectic Society.
The only Thing they were anxious for was TO
learn the secret OF the Harding anesthetc, for 1t
was undoubtedly a most valuable discovery.
In the course of his talk with the inventor, the
reporter was Informed that for some time GER
tam members OF the allOpathie school have been
exertiDg themselves TO place him on his feet,
and had labored to induce him to come into
their ranks. In consequence of this treatment,
DR.. Harding was convinced Of the error OF his
ways, and was 10 be admitted 10 the fold OF
regular practitioners as soon as possible. The
prime mover in this act of proselytizinR Is said
10 be DR.. Hirschfelder, specialist on nervous
Diseases who Is. no doubt, very anxious 10 pos
sess the secret OF Dr.. Harding.
TRANSATLANTIC TEETH.
During the interview with DR.. Younger lie told
the reporter that all the time DR.. Harding was In
latter belonged to the eclectic SCHOOL, For bis
part, lie was firm believer In the old school,
but so long as DR.. Harding attended 10 business
he was more Than satisfied with his work. A
strange feature Of The whole history seemed to
be present during the whole OF yesterdays In
vesfigation. That was the implied admission
that DR.. Harding was the real Inventor of the
art OF transporting teeth. He experimental
upon his children, then on animals and finally
announced the success Of the operation to his
employer. In fact, he told the reporter that he
was ready now to receive patients extract their
teeth, permit them TO go about their business
for some hours and would then replant the filled
teeth with perfect safety. dispatch and freedom
from pain.
CAUSE OF BIS MISERY.
strange feature OF the case was to watch
the operation of this marvellous anesthetic.
While with The unfortunate victims OF The drug
the reporter was convinced that they must have
been supported by the drug all the long weeks
since they were driven TO those low quarters.
He was led to believe that the body Of DIR. Hard
Ing would present every appearance OF being
punctured In Q thousand places with bypo-
peTmic syringe. but not u spot could be found.
During interviews with Drs. Younger aud
Harvey they explained the matter. The drug
can be taken internally, aud the condition of DR..
Harding for the past few weeks left room for
doubt as 10 his use OF the compound.
The outcome OF the struggle 10 obtain DIR.
HardDg's secret by either the eclectic or the