The progressive farmer. [volume] (Winston, N.C.) 1886-1904, 1901-07-09
Miscellaneous.
PRESENT DAY FOOLIsMs.

Commenting upon the "Christan
Science" fad, the Southern Medical
Journal, of La Grange, N. c., which
is, by the way, a very valuable and
carefully edited monthly, speaks as
follows:
The professor might have added
the other fads, magnetic healing,
faith curing, etc., all of which ire
similar, but with different, names,
to his list of fool-developing agencies
of the present age. There is always
a lot of persons, more especially
women and men who are light in the
upper story, and of a hystero-hypo-
chrOndrical predispositiOn who readi-
ly take up these foolisms, hoping to
get reputation for culture and learn
ing, if not for divine revelation.
They desire to be regarded by their
fellow beings, by working upon their
credulity, a s especially endowed, as
favored ons of God, and in doing
this they are practicing the barest-
faced deception. The decisions of
the courts all over the country, and
the regal mandates of European
powers, are sufficient to convince any
one of their fraudulent purposes and
designs. Weltmer, the founder and
originator of magnetic healing has
been convicted of using the mails for
fraudulent purposes. Several DOwie-
ties have been convicted of the same
crime, rs also have several Eddyites
been convicted of manslaughter in
refusing the proper medical atten-
ton to some irresponsible person
under their care. Everywhere these
so-called "healers" are being con
victed of and fined for the illegal
practice of medicine. Their so-called
colleges are refused articles Of incor-
pOration. The reception and con
sideration of these theories received
from men and bodies of men who are
learned and thoughtful, is the same
that is accorded other fraudulent
schemes and claims made to obtain
compensation, whether it be money
or fame. The bases upon which these
pretenders work are simply the
vague and abstract theorizings of
equally vague and abstract minds.
Physicians and others who are &C
quainted with the physiologic and
p~athOlOgic changes of the body in
health and disease, know too we'll
the principles governing these to
lend their cOuntenance for a moment
to the consideration of the theories
claimed by these cults and so-called
sciences. They know also that the
natural course of all acute diseases
is towards recovery that the natural
tendency of all persons of hysterical
temperament is to e~xaggergate all
symptoms and feelings-creating
mountains out of e-hills-and
that they often detail the symptoms
of only an imaginary trouble, and it
is this latter class that gives Chris
tian Science, magnetic healing and
faith curing the small amount of
consideration they receive. When
relieved of their imaginary trouble,
these people, whose minds are weak
and easily influenced, become relig-
ious or fad fanatics, usually accept
ing that n that gave them the
imaginary relief from their imagin-
airy troubles. These fads are, of
course, not considered by the more
intelligent class of people, but there
is a class that is more or less ignO-
rant and emotional, being easily in
fuenCed by any intangible matter
that is brought to bear upon their
minds, and it is this class that needs
instruction regarding these matters.
The "h~ealers" themselves are usually
fairly educated, which is to their adj
vantage, as it requires some educa-
ton for u man to be a irst.class
scoundrel and retain responsibility.
MACARONI.