THE "QUACK" AND THE GEESE.

Bush Advocate, Volume XIX, Issue 737, 10 June 1907, Page 6

THE " QUACK" AND THE GEESE.

The knowledge of the weakness of his fellows is the strength of the rascal (says the Sydney Daily Telegraph), and no better illustration could be given than a story told last week by Dr Lyman B. Sperry, an American lecturer, in an address at the Sydney V.M.C.A. rooms, on "Quacks and Quackery." He explained how "over in London" there was a shoemaker who, finding that his trade had fewer profits than he desired, cimmenced in a sniall way as a vendor of "quack" medicines. By degrees his business increased until he was so rich that he was sought as the member of a public committee. Another member of tlie committee was ono of the mnst able of the* local medical practitioners, and it happened that on the day fixed for a meeting of the committee these two were first in the appointed room, which overlooked one of the busiest of the city streets. The. "quack," who was a fellow of tremndous impudence, greeted the physician effusively, and in the subsequent conversation asked a simple question in physiology. "Do you mean to tell me that you don't know that?" queried the doctor. "No," replied the charlatan, "I never studied it ; I used to be a shoemaker, y' know." Having answered the question, the physician asked liis companion how it was that one

wbo knew nothing of the things which the medical profession considered essential to the success of tiie calling had made such a fortune, while he (the physician), for instance, after years and years of study was still plodding along for a living. "See here,' 'answered the "quack," drawing his questioner to the window, and pointing to the endless stream of humanity below, "tell me what percentage of those people you would judge to be intelligent, honest, logical thinkers — men capable of giving a sound judgment on matters such as you mention." Tlie physician considered that about one man in one hundred might be so described. "All right," said the "quack/ '"that's your fellow — the rest are in me!"