Appletons' popular science monthly (Volume 48 )

This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. Purchasers can download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated.1896 Excerpt: ... composition of which has been kept in the family for generations. This one will cure every disease; that one, of more discreet pretensions, is only good for some particular disorder, generally an incurable one. A court bailiff prescribes an infallible remedy for epilepsy, consisting of a cat's skin applied to the back, rubbing the belly with ointment, and old brandy in the loins. All are made out after a model like this, and can be judged from it. A vast number of popular errors are built on the advice of these pretended specialists. A whole inventory of medicines, each more absurd than the others, may be found in books on madness. Do Fio. 2.--Kistic Pharmacy. An exact representation of the mom in which Michel Shappaeh, kuown as iiidecin de hi Moutrgne (the mountain doctor), held his consultations. Drawn firm life by (j. Locher in 1774. Engraved at Basle by Barthelemy llubner in J775. (Reduced from an engraving in the collection of M. Gaston Tissrmdicr.I not dispute us, say the authors; we have the facts to prove the reliability of the doctor and the sureness of the remedy. It is certain that, whatever we may say or do, the tendency to these superstitions is not changed. The spread of instruction and of the knowledge of hygiene is of little avail in the contest against inveterate prejudices. Matters are much worse in the field of medicine proper. There is a story of a doctor who recognized an old servant in a quack who was doing a large business, and asked him how he accounted for his success. "How many of these fifty persons passing by," the quack said, "do you suppose are sensible persons?" "Six or seven," said the doctor. "I will give you ten of them for your clients, the rest are mine." This is not complimentary to four fifths of the human race. I belie...