TEA FOR TUBERCULOSIS.

Wanganui Herald, Volume XXXVIII, Issue 11253, 11 May 1904, Page 3

TEA FOR TUBERCULOSIS.

«... „ - The remedies applied by Schroeter, the Tilsiat "magnetic" quack, who io now undergoing- trial in Berlin, to his dupe patients, would be amusing were it not for the disastrous results which have followed treatment in several cases.

Emma Seidenberg, a young lady of Tilset, described as well educated,- told the Court that she visited Schroeter to be cured of tuberculosis.- Schroeter assured her that if she had' oufficient faith he would heal her, and passed his hands up and down before her, telling her that he was imparting magnetism to her body. He then .-gave her .;a brown medicine, which turned-, out to be nothing but very weak tea. ■ Seidenberg. believed in him until Bho heard he was arrested-, and then communicated her experience to the police. ' Albert Leugnick, aged 78, visited Schroeter to be cured of rheumatic pain's. Schroeter belaboured him on the back with a peculiaT contrivance, which he called a "life awakener," but which in reality was a whip. The life awakener caused excruciating pain, but gave no relief, and subsequently Schroeter made Leugnick sit in a hot bath all day long several days in succession. Altogether Schroeter'a treatment weakened Leugnick so. much that, it was stated, only a wonderful constitution saved hip life. , '. ••'

A woman named Eatherine- Erzberger went to consult Schroeter aboujb an eye <tfa-easo-which threatened to rob her of. her sight. Sctirpeter, declared he woxild cure, her within a fortnight. The treatment, consisted qf passing; his, fingers over- her closed eyelids, thereby, he said, imparting healing magnetism.- -» ■•■ , , After Continuing this treatment for several weeks Schroeter admitted that he had misunderstood the case, and advised the patient, to seek the advice, of eye experts. She did so, and they,' found Schroeter's improper methods had intensified the dangerous character of the complaint and rendered a cure impossible. Schroeter was considered responsible for the woman's' blindness.

Schroeter throughout the trial had been I repeating that he would confound his cri- ' ticsi.. by indisputable demonstrations of hie miraculous powers, but-kept postponing hie proofs on variotis pretexts. Finally, goaded by the taunts of the medical experts, Schroeter announced that he was. read yto work wonders. The elaborate preliminary preparations that he made excited great laughter in Court. Addressing the judge, Schroeter said, "I want' a pencil, two penholders, a flask of water, the temperature whereof shall- be exactly 80deg. Fahrenheit, a heap,' of snow, and^ai window glass." The judge smilingly addressing the prißoner, replied, "You can have everything you require to perform these experiment* successfully." Scliroeter thereupon complained of feeling exhausted owing to the," length of the trial, and the unsympathetic atmosphere created by the witticisms of tho medical ex^"" perts. "It makes me depressed, and success is impossible tinder such conditions," he said. "I b?g to be allowed to drink one oj. two cognacs or ai few whiskies and sodas to keep up my magnetic force." Addressing the Coutft- officials, the iudgf said, "Give the prisoner all the stimulant/he requires," and Schroeter occupied 8 ■ whole hour* leisurely 'conhuminGr drinks, "remarking frnm time* In timo that lio war working up the magnet ism within him.

Finally Schroeter pressed his hand on the pane of glass and, holding it up, told the spectators to watch the magnetic ray£< streaming from hit' finger-tips. "I can sco nothing," said the jiidgo. "Nor can we,' added the jurymen in chorus. The medical experts, too, declared that nothing could be seen. Schroeter, turning to the medical experts, remarked, "Of course I shall never convince yon. I postoss faith, and you havi none; hence ymi remain blind to one of the greatest wonders of science." In a second experiment Schroeter buried two penholders in snow. Then, takjng a pencil, ho magnetised it by rubbing it between hi.o haiidfi. and dug out the twohidden penholders with it. Schroeter claimed that he drew them out by magnetic force, which his touch imparted, but everyone saw he simply pushed the iiidden penholders out of the snow. "I have to record the fact that the experiments are ludicrous failures," remarked the judge. "I repeat your unbelief prevents you understanding my unusual powers," replied Schroeter. It is a remarkable fact that Schroeter en-, joys much public sympathy. J A Tilsit wo-" man who testified against him was attacked in the streets by a mob of Schroeter*»-ad-herents. They pelted her with snow and pursued her for several miles, finally smashing the windows! of her home, and threatening to lynch the miracle-worker's enemy. On Mairch 13 Schroeter was found guilty and sentenced to two years 'imprisonment The prisoner vehemently protested against thfe sentence, and there was a 1 popular demonstration against the judge. Having been sixteen months awaiting final trial Schroeter haa only* eight months to serve.