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DISEASES OF THE GENERATIVE SYSTEM. 421
best they could for such a patient, but I may be per
mitted to doubt whether there is not an equal chance
of finding those of whom it might be said, "The rem
edy is worse than the disease." This, however, is the
case with most medical prescriptions.
The diseases peculiar to women are so many, of so
frequent occurrence, and of such severity, that half the
time of the medical profession is devoted to their care,
and more than half its revenues depend upon them.
We have libraries of books upon them, special profes
sorships in our medical colleges, and hosts of doctors,
who give them their exclusive attention. We have
quack nostrums without number, and instruments of
the most curious and complicated construction. We
have, moreover, needless and shameless examinations,
with finger and speculum ; and libidinous manipula
tions, to which women and even young are girls sub
of the most infamous character. Diseased
jected,
women go to these doctors, and pay hundreds of dollars
to be felt of, looked into, cauterized or anointed ; when
it is all sheer, base, or mercenary quackery, worse.
One old wretch, in the vicinity of New York, has fol
lowed this trade for years, and accumulated a fortune.
Ladies of the "highest respectability" have been
through his hands. Day after day there might be
seen a long line of carriages before his door, and his
parlors were filled with women and girls, waiting their
turns. I have known of a woman affected with nym
phomania, which he had either occasioned or increased,
going to him in the night, getting on her knees, and
offering him any sum to perform his accustomed manip
ulations. I have known a mother to take her virgin
36