Domestic Encyclopædia (1802)/Quackery

QUACKERY, or Empiricism, a term of extensive signification; as it relates to all those who pretend to medical knowledge and skill in the exercise of the healing art; though they act upon mere principles of slavish imitation, and the shallow inference drawn from single instances.

If the object with which medicines are administered be duly weighed; and the numerous diseases to which the human frame is exposed, be seriously considered; it must excite the greatest astonishment, that no steps are taken to suppress those insidious pretenders, who, like ephemeral insects preying on the cankered tree, exercise their predatory arts on the purse and constitution of mankind; and, that so sordid a practice should not only be tolerated, but even indirectly countenanced by the highest authority, in an enlightened country. It will probably be objected, that abuses so gross and palpable, are connived at only, on account of the revenue they produce to the Treasury; but, is it compatible with sound policy, justice, and humanity, to supply any deficiency of the State, at the expence of all that is most dear to man—his health? Beside, how often must the moral law be wounded, for the sake of this public sacrifice?—Would any person whose time-piece has received an injury; or whose cattle are attacked with the distemper; or whose dwelling threatens to tumble down, ever think of employing a vagrant in preference to either a professed watch-maker, farrier, or builder? and yet, these considerations are but trivial, when compared to the inestimable value of health! Such impostors generally assume a pompous and mysterious manner; they deal in duplicity of speech and action; always engage to cure, while they represent every case as highly dangerous, in order to enhance their own importance; in short, they are equally afraid, and incapable, of giving a reasonable explanation, or candid opinion: let these harpies of the deluded multitude fairly state their successful experiments, not supported by perjury; and compare them with the number of unfortunate victims whose credulity led them to a premature grave. Many instances of this melancholy description have come within our knowledge; and we doubt not but every medical practitioner has cases to produce, where, in consequence of taking quack medicine, his patients were afflicted with inflammations of the bowels; obstructions of the liver, or intestines; and not seldom, with incurable consumption. Humanity can only drop the silent tear of sympathy over the deluded sufferers, while the government alone has the power to suppress and punish these pests of society, and to exercise the same degree of rigorous justice as is shewn to the highway robber and assassin; whose crimes, though apparently more heinous, are less destructive in their influence on society.