MORE TRUTH THAN POETRY.

Thames Star, Volume XI, Issue 3678, 8 October 1880, Page 3

MORE TRUTH THAN POETRY.

I tell the story as it was told to me. There are exceptions to all rules of mundane origin ; and there are doubtless instances of so-called "quack doctors" who have succeeded well in their crusade against disease ; while there are instances also of regular matriculated physicians who hare failed lamentably in their chosen profession. Sut we mqst strike a line of fairness, and let the rule stand. And now for the story : A certain quack, who bad hoisted himself into public notice by all the tricks and shifts r>pon to use for such purposes, stood one day at his door while his servant was harnessing his span, and just then a regular practitioner chanced to come along on foot, whom the quack hailed A pleasant chat followed, on the weather, the crops, the state of public health, &c, which was brought to a close by the driving up of the sparkling span, glittering in gold-plated harness and hitched to a handsome, brand-new top-buggy. The true M.D. had to ask one more question, as he saw the stunning turn out. Said he: ' ' : ■'.. .■■..

" My friend, can you tell me how it is that yon, who have no real knowledge of medicine; who never gave time to the atndy of disease; and who make no claim to fellowship with any society, are able to ride in< your carriage, with servants and outriders; to keep a oity house and a country, house,—while I, who certainly have a fair knowledge of medicine in all departments, and am thoroughly conversant with disease, and all its symptoms, can scarcely find employment enough to keep soul and body together ? " Answered the quack: - "Can you tell me how many people have passed us while we have been conversing?" The physician answered: ••Possibly, a hundred." " And how many of that hundred would you venture to assert possessed what we may call good, solid common sense P " " Possibly—of the hundred—there may have been, one." i; y "I agree with you. |Aud, my dear brother, that one will be lilcely to come to you for advice if he is sick, whital shall entrap the other ninety-an^nine !"