Athothis : a satire on modern medicine / by Thomas C. Minor.

law, by the laws of right, to every man's own mind and conscience, must appear equally black and detestable.'' Athothis indulged in a light ripple of laughter, and replied : " The author whom you have just quoted is too sentimental, and the man of the world to-day smiles in contempt at such silly moralizing. 'T is true that only clergymen may preach, and only lawyers are permitted to plead, while every man and woman in the land has a right to practice physic; but so long as the tribe of human fools is increased, so much the better for your profession, which, in the end, reaps all the reward. What you consider an evil is the doctors' blessing in disguise, inasmuch as a spread of medical ignorance in- creases human woe. In my mortal days we had, as I stated before, no patent medicines; but now, thanks to modern chemistry, linked with the commercial spirit, the food you eat and the wines you drink are adulterated and drugged. Your people are fond of being deceived, and the sharpness of your nation in matters of trade is proverbial. They are fond of proprietary medicines and impure food; and as the country is one of universal liberty, can think and choose for themselves; as all men are born, according to your constitution, ' free and equal,' no leadership is required. Your so-called states- men are guided by the masses, in place of being trusted advisers." " Say naught against my Government!" cried Paulus Androcydes, angrily. " YTet I am free to admit that our high public officers should regulate the sale of poisons and adulterated food, and should severely punish men who injure the health of their fellow-citizens." "Which would be wholly inconsistent," retorted Athothis, "since the Government itself issues debased