Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1908-09-23
TWO FAMOUS oUAcks.
Tricks Of French Physicians of
Several Centuries Ago.

Yes. l know that quack' is WORD
principally employed III reference to pre-
| tenders in the noble profession of medi-
cine" saiG the doctor. talking with a few
friends in his cozy office down town. Il
don't myself like the word. 1t sounds
coarse aud vulgar. l much prefer the ex-
preston 'empilic,' which is of good, old
Greek origin. aud means literally one who
makes experiments, but is not, like the
other word. directed altogether at medi-
cal practitioners.
while | think there are comparatively
few cases where so-called quack doctors
are promising to dc mighty things in aid
nf the sick and afflicted l nevertheless
feel that persons should he careful how
they apply the word to these gentlemen
Il have heard of things that could be
locked upon as fquackery pure and out
right. There are two stories among those
refer to. They are older than the noun
tains. but show what articles folks will
resort TO to gain some desired end
ence to the medical profession alone
Otherwise. probably would never have
heard of them in the various anecdotes
that | have been told by professional
brothers
'The Incidents" went on the doctor
happened in France two or three cen
turtles ago. in the days when public criers
We're always in evidence. There was a
physician of Montpelier. who used to 60
from place t" place TO practice the healing
art He employed very ingenious tick
to help him on his way. When lie came
to town whore he was not known he
pretended to have lost his dog, which he
declared was very valuable annual. ami
ordered the public crier to roam about.
heat loud on his 'li um. and offer Il reward
Of = lomis tn whoever should bring the
dog to him. At the Same time. the crer
was directed to mention all the titles and
academic honOrs of tho doctor. as well
as his place Of residence, OF course. it
hapr encd that tine doctor was not long in
becoming almost the sole topic of talk in
the town. The people made up tier
minds that he must he a famous phySi-
could offer . louis for finding lis dog.
Won might reasonably judge that the dog
VOC never found, but plenty of patients
were.
The other little Incident to which !
referred. and whi' h is in every sense
of the word ouack work, concerns
method of getting practice. IT is related
that Il poo, physician in France, with
plenty Of Knowledge ard not CROUCH prac-
tice to keep the Welt from tn" door. had
confidential friend, to whom he i'm
parted his troubles. This friend sag
gcsted t. him rather cunning trick that
Re thought would aid the poor doctor.
This friend was in the habit of PLAYING
chess at a certain club every afternoon.
and there Was always present q large
crowd.
"FIe told the poor follow to como to
the club at that particular hour End not
to speak to him. but to seem to be in
give the waiter the money in rose
colored paper and to leave the rest t"
him.
"1ho physician followed this advice and
naturally his odditv was soon remarked.
His kind friend called the attention Of
the crowd. always present at the club
house at that time of the dav. and adj
vised them not to think i'll of the man
because fc seemed an odditv. He assured
them that hn was profound practitioner:
that he had known him for several years.
and could ten of some wonderful cures
he mad performed. but he thought of
nothing hut his books. He also told them
that the physician rarclv over spoke t"
"''v evening his natieuts. He added.
after many aanecvrics. that if eyer he
was Obliged to take to- his bed he would
have only that doctor
"Th" cn"'t of this vas GOOD. for 90
cor1in" t. the story. hv degrees all the
auditors nnd ""nv Cf their friends CON
suited tn" doctor with IT," rosc-colnrcd
pan'r. ana he acquired big nractico.
"%"'r. think am safe in calling these
two incidents downright nuackeiy. and
as al the parties to tho chaTlatanism arc
dead and zone centuries "To, T am not
liable to he sued for S'arh,r P"sidns 7
hov" mentioned NO na'Nos" concluded the
Washington doctor.-Washincto Post