THE "QUACK" AND THE GEESE.

Wairarapa Daily Times, Volume LVII, Issue 8780, 11 June 1907, Page 3

THE " QUACK" AND THE GEESE.

fc The knowledge of the weakness of m 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 Dγ Lymau B. Sperry, au American lecturer, in an address at the Sydney Y.M.G.A. rooms on "Quacks and Quackery." He explained how, "over in Londou," there was a shoemaker who, finding that his trade had fewer profits than he desired, commenced in a small way as a vendor of 7 "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 \ jjkthjn committee was one of the most 4 *lße/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. Tlie "quack," who was a" fellow of tremendous impudence, greeted the physician effusively, and in the subseciueut conversation asked a simple question in i physiology. "Do yon mean to tell me r that yon don't know that?" queried the doctor. "No," replied the charlatan, "I never studied it; I used to be ji shoemaker, y , know." Having answered the question, the physician asked his companion how it was that one. who knew nothing of the things winch the medical profession considered essential to the success of the 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 percentaere "of those people yon would judge" to be intelligent, honest, logical thinkers—men capable of giving a sound judgment on matters such as you mention." The physi--x ,eian considered that about one man 'in one hundred might be so described. "All right," said the "quack," "that's your fellow—the rest are mine !"