London papers inform us that "all England is in mourning" over the
death of Robert Howard Hutton, the renowned natural bone-setter, which
recently occurred in that city. Judging from the large number of
biographical notices, editorials, and communications which appear in
English journals, he must have been one of the best known men in the
British empire. It appears to be admitted that his fame greatly
surpassed that of any physician or surgeon in the whole country. One
lady of rank pronounces his death "a national calamity," and a
gentleman, who speaks of England as "the most doctor-ridden nation
under heaven," refers to more than a hundred cures effected by this
remarkable man among his acquaintances after they had failed to derive
any benefit from the regular practitioners, who were the most eminent
in their profession. Years ago, George Moore, a distinguished
philanthropist and millionaire of London, testified that Hutton
treated him in the case of a displacement of a bone, which had baffled
the skill of the most famous surgeons in the country for three years,
and effected a complete cure in one minute. Hunters, cricket players,
rowing men, and athletes in all parts of Great Britain consulted
Hutton when they met with accidents. A sporting paper, in a notice of
his career, says:
"He gradually broke down the wall of prejudice which had been
built up against bone-setters by the medical faculty on the
ground that they were merely quacks. His cures in cases of
displacements and sprains which had puzzled the most expert
surgeons, were so brilliant and undisputed that he was
frequently consulted by those who had previously reviled him.
His house in Queen Anne Street was thronged day after day by
persons, who in some instances had come hundreds of miles to
avail themselves of his skill."
Robert Howard Hutton was born in Westmoreland county, England,
forty-seven years ago. He belonged to a family of "natural
bone-setters," the most famous of whom was his uncle, who taught him
all the mysteries of his craft. He practised surgery in Westmoreland
and adjacent counties for several years, where he acquired such a
reputation that he was induced to move to London. He appears to have
made the change more from philanthropic than from monetary
considerations. He loved the country and was very fond of hunting.
Once in London and within reach by railroad of every portion of Great
Britain, his patronage became so extensive that he had no time to
gratify his inclination in regard to sports.
Men of the class to which Mr. Hutton belonged, were once quite common
in this country. Men conducting large lumbering operations in Maine
generally arranged to take a "natural bone-setter" into the woods
every winter. The masters of whaling vessels endeavored to have one
among their crews. The faith of ignorant people in "natural
bone-setters" is profound.
They believe that they are possessed of inherent knowledge and skill.
Some think that they are possessed of a natural gift, and others that
they have acquired secrets that never become known to the members of
the medical profession. The circumstance that they effect a cure in
persons who had "suffered much from many physicians," though they
never read a medical book, never attended college, never witnessed a
clinic, and never received instruction from a preceptor, elevates them
in the minds of the people far above the directors of hospitals.
It is fair to presume that men like Mr. Hutton are possessed of great
skill and also of great knowledge. They may not know the scientific
name of any bone, ligament, or muscle in the human body, but they may
know the location and function of every one of them. Instead of being
derided as "quacks," they should be classed as hereditary specialists.
It is admitted that bees, ants, dogs and horses inherit knowledge and
skill, and it is certainly fair to presume that human beings do the
same. No person will be likely to practice surgery without having had
a course of training, unless he has great confidence in himself, and
self-confidence makes one resolute. Mr. Hutton, it is said, never
administered an anæsthetic and never employed an assistant. He was
very strong, quick, and active. He jerked a bone into place in an
instant, while he was telling a story, and before the sufferer knew
what was about to happen. He had a most extensive practice, and
"practice makes perfect." It is likely that he put more dislocated
bones in place than any ten regular practitioners in his country. He
was an observant man, with remarkable keenness of sight and delicacy
of touch. His great success caused him to undertake risks that many
surgeons would shrink from. His success as well as that of others of
his class, may be accounted for on scientific principles. It remains
to be seen what medical journals will say of him. It is certain that
the secular press regarded him as a most extraordinary man, and regret
that the family of "natural bone-setters" died out with him.--_Chicago
Times_.
It is for the suppression, imprisonment or banishment of such men as
Hutton and the American bone-setter, Sweet, that American legislatures
are besieged by medical monopolists. It is not long since that the
gifted Italian woman, Rosa del Cin, was driven back to Italy by
medical hostility in New York. No medical college allows its students
to learn the healing power of gifted individuals.