t recommend ---- compound
as I do not suffer from any of the ailments it is said to be
good for, but reliable friends of mine tell me that it is
excellent, and I would do a good thing in recommending it to my
friends. Adeline, Countess Schimmelmann.'

"I will only consent to the publishing of this letter if you
publish the _whole_ letter, and no extract from it, as the
white-ribbon lady did for the ---- compound."

If a white-ribboner played this mean trick upon this distinguished
Christian worker she is unworthy of membership in the Woman's Christian
Temperance Union. It is more than likely that the "white-ribbon lady,"
was a paid advertising agent of the patent medicine manufacturer, and
wore a white-ribbon to gain the confidence of the Countess.

Whether patent medicine manufacturers know how to doctor all ills to
which human flesh is heir may be doubted, but that their advertising
agents are skilful "doctors" of testimonials is very evident to any one
acquainted with the facts.

The Department of Public Charities of New York city in a "Report on the
use of so-called Proprietary Medicines as Therapeutic Agents," says:--

"In connection with this subject it might be mentioned that, for
years past, the name of Bellevue Hospital has been taken in vain
by a number of persons and firms, without any authority
whatever. It is a common occurrence that samples of proprietary
medicines, foods, mineral waters, plasters, etc., etc. are sent
to the hospital, or to members of the house-staff for 'trial,'
whereupon the subsequent advertisements of the articles in
question often assert that the latter are 'used in Bellevue
Hospital,' leaving the impression upon the mind of the reader
that the article, or articles, have been used with the sanction
of some member of the Medical Board. It is probably impossible
to find a remedy for this evil, from which many other
institutions of repute likewise suffer. To publish a denial of
such false assertions would only aggravate the evil. The utmost
that can be done appears to be, to caution the medical staff
against any entanglements with, or encouragement of, the agents
of the interested parties."

This report, which was adopted by the Medical Board of Bellevue
Hospital, classifies proprietary preparations as "Objectionable" or
"Unobjectionable" according to the following rules:--

"Unob