QUACKS AND CHARLATANS.

Shannon News, 24 December 1925, Page 3

QUACKS AND CHARLATANS.

PLAYING WITH LIVES

There have always been medical quacks aud charlatans, and as long as human credulity endures I suppose there always will be (writes Dr. Arthur Haydon in the ‘Daily Mail’). Since a company of barber-surgeons and physicians was established by Rpyal charter in the Middle Ages a certain standard or professional knowledge has been required, but there have always remained a class of untrained practitioners outside the regulations who advertised their so-called successes but said nothing about thoir failures. During the last twenty years there has been enormous increase in the number of osteopaths, bone-setters, religious healers —so called—and herbal ists. In some cases they meet with a certain amount of success, but many ‘ ‘ cures ’ ’ are simply explained. During highly emotional meetings a diagnosis is frequently made of some very grave organic disease where the patient is suffering from some slight ailment. This responds readily to a simple remedy, with startling 'effects upon the onlooker, and in this way many new recruits are brought in. Many cases of spontaneous cure, especially in cancer, which undoubtedly takes place from some unknown cause have been got hold of and claimed by quacks as due to the “laying on of hands” or “absent treatment.” The danger is greater when a socalled iliealer is called upon to treat children who cannot, defend thems'elves. In serious cases they may be allowed to die before a correct diagnosis can be made. When the patient is at the point of death a doctor is often sent for and proper treatment and nursing are provided; but it may be too late. This applies even to chemists who sometimes assume a grave responsibility in prescribing for their customers, often aggravating their condition. The illegal fees are always high, being seldom lower than a guinea a visit or consultation, but they cannot be recovered in a court of law. New legislation should b'e passed to protect the public and give fair play to qualified men.

After all, why should the untrained man be allowed a freedom in medicine, which affects the very lives of the people, that li'e should not be allowed in the church or in law? . It caiinot be said too. strongly that the present state of affairs is a disgrace to the United Kingdom. There are plenty of statutes to control quackery, but they are not enforced as they should be. And it is not Only the public that deserve consideration. Something is due to the qualified doctor, who spends £IOOO in learning his profession. In the West End of London various osteopaths and bone-setters are making many- thousands of pounds a year because they are able to advertise, while many qualified practitioners are receiving only £SO a year as resident medical officers in some hospital or institution.