Page:Quackery Unmasked.djvu/274

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QUACKERY UNMASKED.

foundation, that will be likely to let him down. No lasting benefit can be derived from such means. One may rob his brother of his good name, yet it will not enrich himself, although it may make the brother "poor indeed." Although an envious public may sometimes rejoice to witness the petty bickerings and skirmishes that take place between rival practitioners, yet in the end they will not be likely to think better of either—they may be pleased with the treason, but they will despise the traitor. No one ever attained any enviable distinction by such vile means. Those who engage in such personal encounters, are generally found at last in the condition of the famous Kilkenny cats. If the whole matter ended there, we would not complain, but consider it a happy riddance of unprofitable members; but the public consider the profession itself dishonored by such examples.

This professional discord usually arises from mistaken views of self-interest, and, like a maniacal felo de se, seems to be incident to the profession. And when all these things are considered, no one need wonder that it is so as-