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

CHAPTER VII. DOCTOR PAULUS ANDROCYDES ADMITS THAT MODERN MED- ICIXE IS A MERE TRADE AXD HATH ITS TRICKS. ORTUNE, the fickle goddess, never bestows her gifts so blindly and capriciously as in the medical profession," mused Paulus Androcy- des, as he rested "with Athothis in mid-air for the moment. " The lives of most doctors are full of tribulations, and where one practitioner attains eminence ten thousand fail." " True," responded Athothis; " for the simple reason that your modern public too often extends its patronage to the unworthy and places confidence in those who can lay no honest claim to the degree of doctor. At the present day, fashion and accident lead to celebrity. Some wealthy bell-wether draws the social flock, while society's lamb- kins and the common herd bah the praises of the ignorant, and make a shepherd of the wolf. Notoriety is esteemed the sign of genius, while obscurity is the cer- tain indication of a fool. Arrogance grows rich; mod- esty starves. Mediocrity rides in a chariot, while true worth travels afoot. 'T is the age of Brass! Do you ride or walk, doctor?" " I ride ! " answered Paulus Androcydes, proudly and with defiance ; " for remember, my Egyptian friend, that this is a practical age. To merit success is one thing, to secure it another. The acquirement of public confidence at the present time requires the most delicate circum- spection and tact. Competition is so keen that one must