32 SKETCHES AND ILLUSTRATIONS OF MEDICAL QUACKERY. fools who acquire notoriety, and subject themselves to appropriate and merited detraction, because they choose to believe in systems exquisitely ridiculous, and pin their faith upon notions of the most unquestionable absurdity. reader is roused from his apathy by a sketch of the fearful warfare that is continually going on between "Death versus Life:" but after reading a line or two, he discovers, to his intense relief, that though the firstnamed combatant always wins the battle, But when follies are carried on that are still the lucky individuals who will invest by no means innocuous; when knavish their sixpences in the advertiser's "little humbug of the worst description is design-work," will attain longevities worthy of edly put forward to entrap the unwary and METHUSELAH. And then, weary with all entice the thoughtless; when insolent asser.this, adding, as it were, abhorrence to distions and filthy lies find insertion in re-gust, we read, in the very newspaper that spectable newspapers, and base harpies we are about to place in the hands of a wife openly attempt to gull the public by guaran- or child, one of those filthy, indecent, and teeing to cure complaints of the nature of scandalous notices, that, alas! disgrace too which they are utterly ignorant, and the many of our contemporaries. We refer to names of which they can scarcely spell— { a “bit of advice" from a quack of the manly and this, too, by methods the most unprin- vigour stamp, who shocks all correct feeling cipled, and schemes the most objectionable; by his lewd statements and detestable prethen, indeed, it is high time to put every sumption. body thoroughly on his guard, and prevent Indeed, advertising quacks are a very persons from ruining their health by placing curse to this country. Without education, faith in the false pretences, or wasting their without principle, without the liabilities of substance in credence of the gross false- any stringent law or direct legal punishment hoods that are daily, nay hourly, published to keep them in check, these scoundrels by these infamous and nefarious impostors. continue to pursue their horrible career, and Certainly, quack advertisements assume day after day are employed in publishing all shapes and guises. One proffers a Cure statements of the most audacious character, for Cancer, and attracts the attention of that are only not ludicrous because they are the public by announcing, in eulogistic credited. Knaves generally have some terms, that it is the "greatest discovery of" method in their madness," but the quacks the age ;" and it certainly would be if the announcement were correct. Another describes in glowing language the efficacious and beneficent properties of "Sarsaparilla," or the panaceatic influence of " Vegetable Pills;" demonstrating, in the most satisfactory and frank manner, how one of these specifics will infallibly cure every ill to which the human frame is liable. Or, a It is almost invidious to draw any disstartling question is pertinently put to us,tinction of better or worse between the crowd requiring that we should decide at once of rascally impostors that infest the metrowhether or not Consumption is curable. polis and all large cities; but assuredly, if And if we reply in the negative, the adver- such a division were made-if the actual tisement assures us that we are the most mischiefs of their relative proceedings were bigoted, self-willed of men, and beyond all nicely balanced-it would be evident that doubt the victims of one of the most astound-the syphilitic quacks do the greatest wrong, ing fallacies of the age; or, if we determine and inflict the greatest misery upon manin the affirmative, we are then informed that though we are perfectly correct in our decision, and though it is very true that consumption is curable, and that without difficulty, still, this most desirable consummation of things cannot be brought to pass unless we purchase the sixpenny pamphlet which is offered for our mature and deliberate consideration. Or perhaps the careless have none, save the single principle of robbing the public. Actuated by this motive, they change their plans every now and then, advocating, as it suits their purpose, the most opposite doctrines, and asseverating their belief in the least reconcilable views. It is all one to them, so long as they drive a successful traffic. kind. Cruelly trading upon the fears of the timid, heartlessly luring the young and thoughtless, pandering to the excesses, and, if possible, augmenting the riotous lust of abject sensualists, these venereal professors at all times gain command over the fears, and thus shield themselves from the reproaches, of the weak persons they dupe and enstare. Upon no disease is there SKETCHES AND ILLUSTRATIONS OF MEDICAL QUACKERY. 33333 such mystery, and contradiction, and misre- alluded continually inflict upon the public, presentation-upon none such bashfulness, and the scandal which the publication of hesitation, and equivocation, as when per- their filthy advertisements casts upon newssons, having contracted this disease, professpapers, it must at once appear evident to to describe their symptoms. An otherwise everybody, that if the editors of daily or honest man of integrity and repute will, weekly periodicals would resolutely and after he has contracted some venereal taint, {impartially refuse to publish the abominable become disingenuous and equivocal in his indecencies of these outrageous knaves, the representations, and endeavour to mislead greater part of the evil would immediately at every turn. There is such a horror in be remedied. The quacks would be thus some persons relative to any disorder of deprived of half their notoriety and shorn their sexual organs, and patients are gene- of all their laurels. It is true they might rally so utterly ignorant of any knowledge still circulate their horrible handbills-touupon the subject, that they easily becometers might still throw them down areas, or the prey of harpies and nostrum-mongers. thrust them into the unconscious hands of Timid and hesitating, if they should be so passengers, but there can be no question silly as to go to an advertising quack, how- but that the greater part of this nuisance ever disgusted and appalled they may be by would be diminished and abated. There his scandalous conduct and filthy grossness, exists in the metropolis, a Society for the still, through reluctance and a false sense of Suppression of Vice--why, and we only shame, they hesitate to quit the impostor throw it out as a suggestion, does it neglect and consult a qualified practitioner. And so to punish the ignorant impostors for the they continue in their attendance for months, gross indecency of their handbills, just as it of course getting worse and worse; for the chastises the rascally traders of Holywell or quacks do not permit the disease to take its Wych Street, for exposing in their windows proper course, though that would be bad lewd publications?--for probably the quacks enough, but aggravate and feed it with their work the greater harm of the two. nostrums. Thus, when the poor dupe has Our powerful and respected contemporary been for a long time under treatment, when The Times, our witty and clever friend his health and constitution are irretrievably Punch, the Manchester Guardian, and perruined, and his means thoroughly expend-haps another or two might be mentioned, ed, these charlatans turn from being fawn-adopt, and have long adopted, the line of ing sycophants, and all at once become ex-proceeding we suggest--viz., that of refusacting masters, and as the scales drop from ing, in the most absolute manner, to publish the eyes of the victim, he discovers the in- any notice or advertisement from any quack famous manner in which he has been duped that contains in it the slightest approach to and plundered. But he discovers this when indecent or indelicate expressions; but the it is too late, and when medicines can as great mass of editors will not follow the adlittle restore him to health, as they can give mirable and excellent example set them by him quietude and peace of mind. Sad is it these papers; and, for the sake of what they to reflect that such an instance as this is no conceive to be their own interests, consent, exceptionable one, but that, of the thousand day after day, to disgrace and pollute their passers-by whom we may meet in the great columns with notices and advertisements thoroughfares of the metropolis, scores of that must shock every just mind by their persons have been gulled and ruined by terrible immoralities, as much as they pain these abominable impostors. Sad is it to by their glaring and appalling falsehood.— contemplate youth blighted, manhood wast-Lancet, November 19, 1853. ed, old age made wretched! It is mortifying to acknowledge, but such is the fact, that the American press is for the most part as venal as the English, and, But this class of imposture has nearly reached its climax; are we to allow it to continue? Is it to grow still more enor" for the sake of an infamous gain, knowmous? Is it to attain a still more colossal height? Are there no means which can be taken to stop this crying evil? Now, in considering the injury that the infamous tribe of quacks to whom we have {ingly and willingly aid in perpetuating an abuse that reflects upon society an extent of evil which language cannot adequately describe." MEDICAL NEWS. DOMESTIC INTELLIGENCE. calities, and to contribute matter for its pages. Dr. Walker, one of the delegates to the meeting of the "American Medical Association" for 1853, read a report of the do{ings of the Association, which was accepted and filed. The Society then proceeded to a nomina. tion for delegates to the meeting of the "American Medical Association," to be held in St. Louis, in May next. Drs. Isaac Thomas, A. K. Gaston, J. B. Brinton, J. P. Edge, and C. W. Parish, were nomi Death from Chloroform.-A young female, whose great toe was about to be amputated by one of the visiting surgeons of the Charity Hospital, suddenly expired. while under the influence of chloroform. It was some time before she could be brought fully under the effects of the anæ sthetic; she finally, however, became completely insensible, and before the operation was concluded, she sank and rapidly ex-nated. pired, in spite of the most strenuous and On motion, the president was directed to judicious efforts of several medical men cast the ballot for the above-named gentlepresent. The usual precautions were used men as the delegates of the Society. They in its administration, and no censure can are instructed to vote for an amendment to justly be attached to the surgeon or his as- the Constitution of the Association, restrictsistants for the untimely result of the case. {ing representation to State and county soA post mortem was made by the Pro-cieties. fessor of Physiology in the University of Drs. James Parker, Wm. H. WorthingLouisiana, and all the organs were found toton, and Franklin Rieser were proposed for be perfectly healthy. A. H.-New Orleans Med. and Surg. Journ. Jan. 1854. membership. Drs. Isaac T. Hayes and Edward Hall were ballotted for and duly elected members of the Society. Proceedings of the Chester County (Penn.) The "Transactions of the Medical SoMedical Society, Nov. 1, 1853.-A stated ciety of the State of New York, for 1852," meeting of the Chester County Medical So-were presented by Dr. Hays, Corresponding ciety was held at West Chester, Nov. 1, 1853. President, Dr. Worthington, in the chair; members present, Drs. Murphey, Thomas, Brinton, Stebbins, Ogier, Edge, Hartman, Walker, Gunkle, and Price. The minutes of the last stated and adjourned meetings were read and approved. Secretary of the Medical Society of the State of Pennsylvania. The Correspond. ing Secretary was directed to acknowledge the same. In view of the probability of a return of cholera to our country, it was Resolved, That a committee of five be appointed to collect statistics in reference to it should it appear, and, if possible, report all the cases that may occur within the limits of Chester County. A letter was received from Dr. Rivinus, tendering his resignation as Treasurer of the Society, which was accepted, and the Secretary directed to convey to Dr. Rivinus the thanks of the Society for the faithful and Drs. W. Worthington, S. A. Ogier, J. satisfactory manner in which he has dis-P. Edge, A. Murphey, and S. Stebbins were charged the duties of his office. Dr. Hart-appointed the committee. man was elected treasurer for the unexpired term of Dr. Rivinus. The committee on biographies, dysentery and nervous diseases, and on medical topography not being ready to report, were continued. The editing committee report that two numbers of the Reporter have been is sued, and that about seventy copies have been subscribed for, about fifty of which are taken in Chester County; Delaware County has as yet returned no list. The members of the Society were earnestly requested to extend its circulation in their respective lo The following preamble and resolution were offered, the consideration of which was postponed: Whereas, A prominent object of this Society is "the advancement of knowledge upon all subjects connected with the healing art," and believing the reference of special medical subjects to special committees, to prepare reports for the Society, one of the best means of accomplishing this object, therefore Resolved, That the President appoint such special committees as may be deemed expedient designating, respectively, the subjects for their consideration. Adjourned.-Medical Reporter, January, 1854. Died, in Philadelphia, on the 4th of January, in the 54th year of his age, SAMUEL MCCLELLAN, M. D., formerly Professor of Officers of the Philadelphia County Medi-Midwifery in Jefferson Medical College. cal Society for 1854.-At a meeting of the Philadelphia County Medical Society, held January 18, 1854, the following officers were elected for the present year: FOREIGN INTELLIGENCE. President.-Dr. Thomas Forrest Betton Vice Presidents.-Drs. George W. Nor- Another Death from Chloroform. - A ris and Thomas H. Yardley. young girl, aged 13, of strong constitution, Recording Secretary.-Dr. D. Francis had on the dorsal region a voluminous Condie. lipoma, which extended from the last dorsal Assistant Secretary.-Dr. Robert P. vertebra to the crest of the ilium. The Thomas. girl's mother, and the girl herself, wished Corresponding Secretary.-Dr. Henry S. for the operation, and demanded the use of Patterson. Treasurer.-Dr. William Byrd Page. ROBERT P. THOMAS, PHILADA., Jan. 25, 1854. Mortality in New Orleans for the Year 1853. The total mortality of the City of New Orleans for the year 1853 has been 15,085; 7,899 deaths were from yellow fever, and 607 from cholera. This is the largest mortality that has ever occurred in New Orleans for a single year.-New Orleans Med. and Surg. Journ. Jan. 1854. The Ohio Medical and Surgical Journal.-Prof. HoWARD, who has for some time conducted this Journal with much ability, has been compelled, we regret to learn, to vacate the editorial chair. He is succeeded by JOHN DAWSON, M. D., Lecturer on Anatomy, &c. OBITUARY RECORD.-Died, Dec. 1, 1853, at New Orleans, of Epidemic Cholera, ABNER HESTER, M. D., the talented editor of the New Orleans Medical and Surgical Journal, aged 40 years. Dr. Hester enjoy ed a high reputation as a skilful and experienced practitioner, and a zealous culti vator of our science. His premature death will be a serious loss to the profession. Died, in New York, on the 7th of Dec. last, aged 62 years, THOMAS G. MOWER, M. D., one of the senior surgeons of the United States Army, and a gentleman. of varied scientific attainments. As chloroform. Dr. Wüstefeldt told the mother that grave accidents often followed the administration of the anaesthetic; but she nevertheless persisted in her request. One drachm of chloroform was employed. soon as insensibility was manifested, the operation was commenced, but scarcely had the surgeon divided the skin, than the girl, yielding to the laws of gravity, fell suddenly forwards upon her chest. Dr. Wüstefeldt, struck by the phenomenon, which he had witnessed before under similar circumstances, immediately desisted from operat{ing, and strove to restore the patient to life; but every effort was useless, and, in the course of a few minutes, it became evident that she was dead.-Med. Zeitung von den Vercine für Heilkunde in Preussen, No. 44, Berlin, November 2. [It is to be regretted that fuller particulars, viz., as to the kind of apparatus, the position of the patient, and the duration of the inhalation, have not been given - ED.] Med. Times and Gaz. Jan. 7, 1854. Chloroform in Midwifery Practice.Dr. ROBERT LEE read a paper before the Royal Medical and Chirurgical Society, in which he gave an account of seventeen cases of parturition in which chloroform was inhaled with pernicious effects. In the cases related, the injurious effects of the inhalation of chloroform were as follows: In seven cases, insanity and great cerebral disturbance followed its exhibition. The use of the forceps was rendered necessary in five cases. In two, the contractions of {the uterus were arrested, and the operation of craniotomy was performed. Peritonitis or phlebitis ensued in four cases. Epilepsy or dangerous fits of syncope supervened in she was very ill, he was unable to find any trace of the child; and the systemic effect was so violent, that it was long before labour recommenced, the uterus having been temporarily paralyzed. She never recovered from the effects of the narcotic, and was finally removed to a lunatic asylum. This case had so alarmed him, that he had never since given his assent to the employment of chloroform.-Ibid. made a discovery which excites considerable interest in Italy. Being present, in 1852, at the death of a patient who was unable to swallow a sufficient quantity of qui. progress of a bad fever, M. Manetti endeavoured to form some preparation by which the febrifuge principle might be inhaled into the lungs. This new agent is called "kinic two instances. Many analogous cases had been confided to the author by friends; and public rumour swelled the size of the chapter of accidents; but he wished merely to give accounts of those which had come under his own observation. The author strongly animadverted upon the levity and thoughtlessness which had accompanied the use of this subtle and dangerous poison. Soon after its discovery, before the amount of its power, and even its composition, had been fully understood, he had been horrified New Method of administering the Febri by the announcement of its application to fuge Principle of Quinquina by Pulmonary midwifery, and he then prophesied that de- { Absorption.—A young physician, M. Louis plorable results would ensue; a prognos- MANETTI, of the University of Pavia, has tication which experience had unhappily proved to be correct. It was natural that women, doomed to bring forth their young in pain and sorrow, should seek every means by which they might palliate thenia in a short space of time to arrest the anguish they suffer; and instances related in which the process of parturition had been effected without pain, served to render nugatory the unwelcome admonitions of those who pointed to the evils that might occur.ether," but its exact chemical composition The author expressed his opinion that the most serious effects which arose from the inhalation of this agent, were, first, languid and inefficient uterine contractions; secondly, a greater susceptibility to the risks that arose from inflammation and fever. In spite of the fact that grave and experienced physicians had expressed their concurrence with In one case, neuralgia occupied the right the author's views, yet the question whether side of the face, and depended upon a dischloroform should be inhaled had become eased condition of the gums and caries of a almost extra-professional; as silly and ig-molar tooth. The pain pursued a regular norant women of fashion chose to set the course, and assumed a quotidian type. At example of using it, the cause of science 11 A. M. the patient was directed to inhale and humanity thus being in the hands of the the kinic ether. It was repeated at 8 P. M., most weak and frivolous portion of the com- after which the pain disappeared, and did munity; and, as there was a systematic not recur, the only uneasiness remaining concealment of the truth by the physicians being a slight tenderness of the cheek, conwho used it, he feared that young and inex- nected with irritation of the gums. About perienced mothers would still be lured to a drachm of the fluid, administered in two, their destruction. In conclusion, the author three, or four times, may be considered expressed a hope that his essay might tend dose. About a scruple is poured upon a to rescue the profession from the dominion piece of linen, which is then held to the of an ignominious and disgraceful practice.-nose. M. Pignacca has experimented upon Ibid. himself, and attests to the efficacy of the preparation.-L'Union Médicale. is unknown. It is a limpid liquor, of a pecu. liar and unpleasant odour, and it is obtained by the distillation of kinate of lime and alcohol. M. Pignacca has tried its effect in many diseases, viz., tertian fevers, neuralgic affections, hysteria, etc. Chloroform in Labour.-Dr. MERRIMAN [This statement must be received with related to the Royal Medical and Chirurgi-considerable suspicion. First, because kinic cal Society, a case where chloroform was administered during labour. Pain ceased, and he returned home for a short time. On being called again to see the patient, after a lapse of two hours, having been told that acid is a fixed acid, and cannot yield a volatile ether; secondly, because kinic acid is not known to possess febrifuge properties; such properties belong to its usual base, quinine or cinchonine.-ED.] |