Quackopaths

There is a class of doctors that are drawn from all the schools of medicine that profess to be that which they are not. They may possess diplomas, but they got them upon examination day, by some student, that had studied hard and well and was naturally sharp, helping them and cheating the professors. They never merited a diploma. They spent their time in bar rooms and at billiard tables when they should have been burning midnight oil over Gray's Anatomy, or Huxley and Dalton's Physiology, in order that they might not butcher poor suffering humanity, and have more knowledge of the human system, and know better how to prescribe medicine to those who need it, and therefore this being a fact, every one should be on their guard. It is not the man that has the diploma that is always the good doctor. I know several men that have no diplomas, that are naturally inclined in that direction, that have good success, and are men that study the human organization and the effects of medicine on it, and try to improve their moments, in order that they may properly fit themselves for usefulness, and to benefit humanity. From the fact that so many force themselves through college, a diploma does not always signify that they are fit to prescribe or issue medicine. It is the man that makes medicine a study, and studies it constantly and diligently, thinking for himself, reasoning from cause to effect, using common sense in all things, and when he or they give medicine, are sure they are right, and give it so it won't do any harm if it does no good. There are more quacks that have diplomas than there are quacks that have not. I once knew a doctor that thought himself wise, and boasted over twenty-five yars experience, and when I asked him about golden seal and black cohosh, he laughed at me, and said he had never stooped so low; that they were simply granny remedies. God pity such men.

Emetics

Emetics are medicines that will cause vomiting. I will name a few that are domestic and within the reach of every one; mustard, warm salt water, boneset tea, and lobelia tea.

Cathartics

Cathartics are remedies that cause the bowels to act more than what is natural by increasing their wormlike motion. I will name a few that are safe to use by persons that do not profess to understand medicine: castor oil, epsom and crab orchard salts, senna and rhubarb.

Diaphoretics

Diaphoretics are agents that act on the skin and produce sweating. I will now name a few mild ones that may be used without fear. Hot store tea, hot brandy punch, pennyroyal tea, catnip tea, steaming under a blanket, and the wet-sheet pack. These are all safe and sure.

Diuretics

Diuretics are those remedies that act on the kidneys. I will name a few very common and very excellent ones. Watermelon, watermelon seed tea, the tea of parsley root, and sweet spirits of nitre.