OUR QUACKARIA.

Auckland Star, Volume LV, Issue 188, 9 August 1924, Page 17

OUR QUACKARIA.

A THRIVING BAND. (By PEKITUS.J '*»-«• 7palaßdPrs are, nu the whole, an *lft>n»bU-, prictu-al people, and 'I one would think, tho most unf£ "nd unpromising material f.-r the IJ ?f,+ beinc suspicious they are nrou* record to any r-ort ol possible Oonduc, « .^tomers .^; rtrt and shop .is .mainly of a "■"-I qualirv. but tliey appear in lose «£& s:s; : ?..sr « Th e claim, nt any ono of ,],„ Of profess hoalors 1 ho ~,nr, road."onsidnrius the lvi results which may follow mistoed confidences in relation to physical & L jnnatn liking for mystery and the nterious afflicts all mankind, and in2«t ceases when a conjurer explains Zniethod hy which he has deceived his kc the quickness and skill of tho jfrtonwr having provoked the interest. invariably finds a credulous na*i prepared to offer itself as material for ei-perinient. and moreover to ~, for the experience. ' tje alchemists of old found clients .jlin* to drink their love philtres and potions, although in those days mcdi•L 5 were compounded of Mich horrid stents as worms, maito. spiders, tords, and snakes. A? 1 o drug?, their M tenfvwas estimated in proportion to L distance from which they had been tnasported, and homelier drugs were -to an added value hy being gathered br moonlight or at certain lised periods riative to the movements or position of tie heavenly bodies. Darknese and mysterv'were part of the stork-iu-trade of ifauAs, witches, astrologers, and aklemist?, and their never-failing means of obtaining attention, respect, admiration, and money. Immediately a thing becomes commonplace, the public is caught more readily Iγ something el=e which lias novelty and nrreterv. Modern education explodes old beliefs, exposes old frauds, reveals old mysteries, and, hey presto! here art hew nWteries, my masters. The supply of fools is inexhaustible, the supply of rogues more than sufficient, and what was true a century ago is true to day; tbeiogue is even more, than a match for the-fool. Look around you, here, in Auckland, count the pretenders if you can. Have Ton cancer, goitre, asthma, rheumatism, consumption, paralysis, any form of nervous affliction, any variety of nervous pain. You have but to ask, and either from the gold and green glory of a boldly advertising office, or from the discreet shelter of a mean Tiouse in a skdy by-road, will be brought to your notice a "healer' who, for a consideration, "will undertake or pretend to attempt to cure you of any of these things, even chose which baffle the skill of tie most learned and the most experienced men in the world. You may nm up or down the whole gamut of unauthorised and uncertified medical practice and play any tune you please upon your long-suffering body. Xow, it is perfectly clear that any man who has lrid a professional education must necessarily be more efficient lif himself an honourable and decent man) in the handling and direction of sir method of alleviating or curing diseases than those whose only qualifications arc bluff, a glib tongue, and love of rain. Do you suppose that professional men (who desire to live as well as you or mc) would willingly neglect any means of improving their reputation and popularity? Xo; any sound, reasonable method of treatment would be instantly acquired and added to the armamentarium of the trained doctor, no matter T.ho the discoverer might be. Instrument makers have devised novel instruments, laymen have discovered and introduced (hugs, nurses have suggested improvements in technique, and the doctors have readily adopted those of any practical value. The doctor has lost his mana because lie has nearly altogether dropped his toga of mystery. His prescriptions are respected more than Ms advice, because te advice is plain, clear and'simple, and Ms prescription is not. The first quack who will entirely conceal himself from mortal view and send out wireless electric shocks declared to be curative ether waves, and charge (say) ten shillings a •'hock, -will -out all other quacks in the shadiest of shades. The rich medico who has become indifferent; the very elderly medico who is past good work; the very young doctor who lacks experience—all"these help to drive hesitant vnatients into the arms of the quack tribe, for they fear the dangers they know, and face the dangers they wot not of. There were days' when the touch of a Icing cured scrofula and the lancet of the taher-surgeon cured everything (nearly) which was not fatal. To-day the irregular "healers" are reported to cure everything (nearly) not fatal, and the Wgeon survives only because the Untrained "healer" cannot practise surBry. without exposing his lack of skill, jw about surgery there is no mystery— pis as practical as carpentering, and '°=s concealment is possible than in plumbing. Summinfi up, it is discreditable to the community that inefficent doctors should he permitted to injure and destroy, that hundreds of known frauds "nd humbugs should be allowed to fleece 'fc ignorant and the stupid: and that Vacation has not eradicated the love of mystery and the trust in the mysterious exhibited by our people and excited by our fraternity of pestiferous pretenders.