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

with ringing notes of praise down the vast avenues of time." " Proceed ! " exclaimed Athothis, in a tone indicating the patient exercise of enforced forbearance on the part of an intensely bored listener. " Perhaps you may be able to convince me that recent generations of doctors have been a blessing to mankind, although, I am free to con- fess, that I am very.blind as regards this point, notwith- standing my many transmigrations." " The doctor in medicine," said Paulus Androcydes, proudly, " has ever been the grand motor power in dif- fusing knowledge and enlightenment throughout Christen- dom ; for, owing to the strata of scepticism permeating his organization, he has caused the great changes that have occurred from time to time in the domains of law and theology. As regards these two last named profes- sions, it has ever been the wont of their most learned teachers to accuse the doctor in medicine of iconoclastic tendencies. "At an early date the physician acquired a taste for politics. Unwilling, however, to leave his profession for the exclusive pursuit of political existence, he was con- tent to take only such subordinate positions as did not interfere with the duties of an active medical life. " In the confidential capacity of physician he not only prescribed medicine but political advice, and as the re- cipient of state secrets from unsuspecting patients has often been enabled to checkmate the movements of popes, emperors, kings, princes, and statesmen. Under the garb of a physician, he is the true social agitator, and, to a certain extent, shapes the policy of civilized peoples, his position as disciple of the healing art protecting him 6