THE “QUACK” AND THE GEESE.

Rangitikei Advocate and Manawatu Argus, Volume XXXII, Issue 8856, 5 July 1907, Page 1

THE “QUACK” AND THE GEESE.

i Tho knowledge of the weakness of I bis follows is the strength of the j rascal, and no better illustration lomiM bo given. than a story told rrcen tly by Dr Lyman B. Sperry, an American lecturer, in an address at the Y.M.C'.A., Sydney, rooms on “ Quacks and Quackery.” lie ex plained,how “ over in London ” there was a shoemaker, who, finding that his trade had fewer profits than he desired, commenced in a small way as a vendor of “ quack ” medicines. By degrees his business increased until he was so rich that ho was sought as the member of a public committee. Another member of the committee was one of (he most able of the local medical practitioners, and it b.vppened that on the day fixed for a meeting of the committee torso two were first in the appointed room, which overlooked one of the busiest of the city streets. The “ quack,” who was a follow of tremendous impudence, greeted the physician effusively, and iii the subsequent conversation asked a simple , question in physiology. “Do you j nr an to tell me that you do not j 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 his companion how it was that one who knew nothing of the things which the medical profession considered essential to the success of the calling had mads such a fortune, while he (the physician), for instance after years and years of study was still plodding along for a living. “ Bee here,” answered tho " 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 bo intelligent, honest, logical thinkers—men capable of giving a sound judgment on matters such as you mention.” The physician considered that about one man in 100 might be so described. “All right,” said the “quack,” “that’s your fellow—the rest are mine !”