The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1898-09-22
DRUMMERS FOR DOCTORS.
SoTERNMENT REPORT ON QUICKs ar
HOT SPRINGS, ARK.
ppscial Agent zeveley Says That vIsitorr
Are FIeeced Right and Left by Unscru'
puIouv Physicians-Two United STATED
n.nnAnrn Amnnn The AInnN Vlnfinnn

Epscial Agent Zevsley Says That visitors
Are FIeeced Right and Left by Unaoru-
puIous Physicians-Two United atatea
Senators Among the Many Victims.
WASHINGTON. Sept. IA report to the In
terror Department BY Special Agent Zeveley
on the condition OF affairs at the Hot Springs,
Ark. reservation is q remarkable document
He says, In part:
by far the most serious question In connec-
tion with Hot Springs affairs. and tho one
which menaoes the life and health OF persons
who go there seeking treatment. 10 eAe prsc-
tlce OF drumming. There arc drummers for
three different businesses at Hot Springs. viz.
drummers for bath houses. drummers for ho-
tells and boarding houses. and drummers for
the doctors.
The most harmful thing. however. to Hot
Springs. for the reason that 1t is the most dan
gerous thing for persons who 20 there for
treatment. is the present system OF doctor
drumming. There are a great many doctors
IN Hot Springs who are notorious In the mat
ter of having drummers for their business.
The custom about this is that when a stranger
or strangers arrive in the city or even LONG be-
fore they arrive in the city they are met on
the trains and in towns moro than 100 miles
AVA from Hot Springs by for these
doctors. The drummers make the point, be-
fore taking the victim to the doctor. to asoer-
tain. relatively. his financial standing, then to
advise the doctor as to this matter, and tho
man is duly ieeced.
''one instance was cited to me Of a man who
came there to be treated. was captured by a
drummer, carried to o doctor and the drum
mer advised the doctor that he thought it
would be we'll to charge the man about $25.
The doctor had made his examination and ad-
vised the mar that there was very little the
matter with him and charged him $25. The
patient pulled out an enormo roll OF bills to
pay him and as soon as the patient was away
nler and told him that he was a fool. that the
man was q regular walking national. bank and
by some means, he must get him back there so
that they could get the money: When they
got downstairs the drummer told the patient
that the doctor was not satisfied quite about
him to return. Then the doctor made a more
rigid examination OF the mans abdomen and
he had q tumor and 1t must be Immediately
removed bv a surgical operation.
The man became very much frightened and
of course yielded to the operation. He was
chloroformed and an incision made across the
entire width OF his abdomen. Just through the
consciousness he was advised that the opera,
in a bottle OF alcohol was exhibited To him as
the one which had been removed, and, he was
charged $500 for the operation. which he paid.
'Innumerable instances of this sort and the
practices OF these drummers and quack doc
tors were cited to me. and the reputable ply
very urgent in their recommendations that
some steps. il 1t be possible. be, taken by the
d ferreG Wfth Dr. f2 f Ps4les, th se Embellishments n5tlalHy; l SDe Of
nett. viii Dr.: Keller. Dr. Holland, DR.. jerks.
the leading physicians of Hot Springs. and.
they all concur in the view that the State OF
that would reach the case, At my suggestion
pr. ,Perley has submitted a plan which he
tice. Ali the doctors above mentioned agree
In this belief. and believe that his is the only
Il am not prepared to say that it is compe-
tent, for the department to adopt this system.
but do e l,after a careful study and examina.
ton of the situation at Hot Springs that
some extreme step is necessary 10 be taken
TO protect the property and the health and the
hope OF regaining their health. These drum
mers are the shrewdest people in this coun;
not only with the people unaccustomed to
travel; or OF being away from home. but
have fallen Victims to their wiles., It occurs to
me that the Government. having reserved
Of me the aaer wnters foI the 6enf bened an9 Of 0m%nae eEEfihiP
would unquestionably have the power to en-
force such regulations as would destroy this
practice.
Il cannot find language sufficiently strong
for the denunciation of these practices. and I
most earnestly recommend that some step be
The Interior Department Is seeking for
finds itself hampered by the fact that the
reservation, is under the Judicial control of the
State of Arkansas. and it is said that the State
laws have. so many loopholes through which
these professional miscreants can escape that
II appears almost impossible to punish the Of
tenders.
In order to stop the drumming the depart
of the adoption of q regulation providing that
nc bathhouse receiving hot water from the
Hot Springs reservation shall permit any per-
son to battle therein who has not q certificate
from a reputable physician, who does not re-
sort TO drumming, that he Is a proper subject
to receive baths. The Superintendent of the
reservation or a board of surgeons. to be ap-
be required to certify to the professional stand
ing of physicians prescribing baths In the Hot
Springs waters. and no doctor who is known
to qrum for custom will get a certificate which
will entitle his patients to battle at the bath
houses.