Pawtucket tribune. (Pawtucket, R.I.) 1890-189?, 1895-06-08
BROKER In DISEASE.
NOVEL BUT PROFITABLE BUSINESS
OF A NEW YORK MAN.
He Searches Dispensarics For Rare Dis
eases and Disposes of the Victims to
Wealthy speciaiists-Q Queer Results of
the Great Demand For Subjects.

4
the Great Demand For Subjects.
The sudden appearance Of n largs, flne
looking man Of professional presence about
the numerous public dispcnsarios for the
sick, with IA roll Of grcenbacks and kind
word to every applicant for aid, IL attract
Ing widespread curiosity about town. The
mystery was unravoled yesterday. 1t re-
veals n novel occupation for man, whom,
IL Is said, once had n good medical prao-
tice. He now speculates on disease phe-
nomena. Tho opportunity afforded by our
famous surgeons for studying victims OF
rare maladies led him TO establish himself
AS n jobber In nature ccccntricities In the
way Of bodily disorders.
1t Is widely knownthat there Is u mar
ket for disease I'm almost all tho large cit
les throughout this country and In Eu-
rope. Prominent physicians and surgeons
following the treatment Of rare diseases
generally considered incurablo are always
willing to pay unfortunate subjects large
sums for the privilege OF experimenting on
the cases with view to cffecting a cure IL
possible. Never before, however, has 1t
been recorded that an actual brokerage I'm
this novel market has been conceived and
put in operation.
! Inc uOSU ODVlOuS CuSUOUlcrS arc inc
eminent specialists connected either with
some Of the large institutions or who have
their own private hospitals I'm which to
pursue scientific study. In cases where the
subjects are purchased for clinical pur-
poses their value Is hinged on the value OF
exploring In tho seat Of disease and de-
monstrating over 1t In the presence of the
students. But when such privileges are So
Cafv M WI hn Ia at fuk kan
from "a life of pain and misery becomes an
object for the enjoyment Of the most cor
dial blessings; nothing Is too good for
him. He Is, among other good things, as
sured that IL no dies and leaves his body
for further and indefinite investigation his
estate will be paid much higher bonus for
the privilege as such an autopsy Is very
unusual. The surgeon who Is left this lib
erty well knows Its value in forwarding
his fame.
II Is positively wrong to suppose these
subjects die when I'm their loathsome con-
ditions they place their lives in the hands
of the specialists, for the crowning feature
of all is that IL there Is a possible cure
within the reach OF human skill 1t is the
doctors advantage and advertisement to
effect 1t. Most of them have combinations
Of diseases for which no cure Is known.
Therefore, while they are practically bought
as material for scientific experiment, they
are dying and the specialist is the only
one who comes to their aid with the slight
est hope. Modern surgery has been cs-
tablished through these experiments, many
OF which end in triumph. 1t Is mistaken
idea that the surgeons do their best to
shorten the lives of these unfortunate
wretches. Death is what they fight against
Some cases, 1t Is true, are so utterly hope
less that it IL little matter whether they
die of disease or Of n heroic treatment for
it's cure. Some of these wretched speci-
mems of humanity survive the knife and
regain their health. In many cases of this
kind the surgeons who profited by their
study have been known to set them up in
business, and they become respectable citi
Zens.
There are no regular prices paid to the
broker. An average may be made up as
follows: For case of ovariotomy, from
$50 to S60 skin diseases, from $40 to
800; tumor of the brain or spinal cord,
500 to $500, according to the circum-
stances, and for nerve diseases, $40 to $500.
In spite of the monopoly Of this prosper
ous jobber in the market for disease some
times good opportunities escape him. Suf-
fercrs from rare maladics not infrequently
put the information he gives in approach
ing them at the dispensarics to greater
profit for themselves than is offered by
him. In order to get them under his wing
he finds it necessary to make them under
stand that rs subjects of study they would
be valuable to the great medical special
lists, and to this he adds that they would
be supported like invalid Vanderbilts and
perhaps be cured, whcreupon they would
be idolized by the whole medical frater-
nifty. He does not always succeed in inn
pressing them that without his influence
they would have no chance Thus they
seek the specialist either at his Office or Mt
the hospital clinics.
The writer has witnessed one of these
happenings. 1t was an exciting scene. 1t
took place in the entrance hall Of the New
York hospital. An especially important
operation was to be performed that day,
and Professor Robert II. Weir, the opera
tor, had sent out special invitations to all
the greatest surgeons in tho country.
During the operation q wretched,
"trampish" looking man opened the front
door of the hospital building and inquired
for the professor The guard informed him
that Professor Weir was then engaged in
the operating amphitheater, but II his case
was urgent he had better wait until he
came out, as 1t would not be long. The
caller said nothing in reply, but seated
himself at the foot of the staircase, where
nc waited patiently until clattcr of feet,
together with an equally clamorous clattcr
Of voices, was heard AS the last corner
was turned he arose and took good care to
place himself In such position that the
mob of medical men could not pass him
without his attracting their attention.
Professor Weir was among them, and
when the doorman informed him that the
pian who stood, seemingly with "onc foot
I'm the grave" had inquired for him nc ad-
sancod toward the object Of public scorn
end asked:
"Well what can do for you, young fol-
IowP'
"Docther, Oi'm sick and kin get no rc.
lafo OF tn disponsary Oh kin do no work.
tbnught ~ III do ~ fh' fpllo, ot tht dis.