has said that no man ever undertakes to look for defects in his
physical system without finding them. The truth of the remark is proven
by the fact that a very large number of persons, reading these
descriptions of symptoms, many of which symptoms are common to a number
of ills, come to the conclusion that they are affected in the manner
stated by the quack. Great is the power of the imagination! so great,
indeed, that many sound, healthy men are thus led to fancy themselves in
need of medical attention. A short interview with some reputable
physician would soon undeceive them, but they lay aside their good sense,
and fall victims to their credulity. They think that as the quack has
shown them where their trouble lies, he must needs have the power of
curing them. They send their money to the author of the circular in
question, and request a quantity of his medicine for the purpose of
trying it. The nostrum is received in due time, and is accompanied by a
second circular, in which the patient is coolly informed that he must not
expect to be cured by one bottle, box, or package, as the case may be,
but that five or six, or sometimes a dozen will be necessary to complete
the cure, especially if the case is as desperate and stubborn as the
letter applying for the medicine seems to indicate. Many are foolish
enough to take the whole half dozen bottles or packages, and in the end
are no better in health than they were at first. Indeed they are
fortunate if they are not seriously injured by the doses they have taken.
They are disheartened in nine cases out of ten, and are, at length,
really in need of good medical advice. They have paid the quack more
money than a good practitioner would demand for his services, and have
only been injured by their folly.

It may be safely said that no honest and competent physician will
undertake to treat cases by letter. _No one worthy of patronage will
guarantee a cure in any case_, for an educated practitioner understands
that cases are many and frequent where the best human skill may be
exerted in vain. Further than this, a physician of merit will not
advertise himself in the newspapers, except to announce the location of
his office or residence. Such physicians are jealous of their personal
and professional reputations, and are proud of their calling, which is
justly esteemed one of the noblest on earth. They are men of humanity,
and learning, and they take more pleasure in r