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284 which nobody else so well understands, or has the means of curing. Invalids are often induced to suppose that such a fortunate opportunity should by all means be improved, lest it might never return, or the cure be offered a day too late. By such means large fees are sometimes wrung from those who are illy able to pay them, and who in return receive some worthless or dangerous preparations.

Some of these quacks travel regular circuits, and make their appearance at stated times and places, and the country people often seem to suppose that because a man lives or pretends to live in some large place, he must of course be some extraordinary man. That is a great mistake. Such itinerant practitioners are generally ignorant men, and always destitute of moral principles. Their greatness consists in impudence, and duplicity—they are great at schemes, and tricks, and frauds—they are great impostors. The public ought to know that no man who has, or deserves to have, a good business at his own proper place of residence, ever goes abroad in this way to look up patients. It is