The Placebo Effect is the Philosopher’s Stone – the Elixir of Life and the Fountain of Youth.

All “healers” resent Placebo Power because all healing is an “inside job.”

Daniel Webster Cathell, M.D. (The Physician Himself, and What He Should Add to His Scientific Acquirements, 1882) wrote …

“A placebo or tentative remedy should as a rule be small and easy to take. A very good form is prepared thus: Purchase a pound box of No. 35 unmedicated homoeopathic globules, which cost but thirty-five cents, and immerse one half of them in fluid ext. of belladonna, and the other half in compound tinct. of iodine, for twenty minutes, then roll them about on a newspaper till all surplus fluid is absorbed, and let them dry; after which they can be put into bottles, with a small quantity of powdered cinnamon in one bottle and powdered liquorice root in the other to prevent agglutination. These can either be given as globules, or put between paper, crushed, and given as powders; they make cleanly, convenient placeboes for office use, and cost so near nothing, and a pound will last so long, that you can afford to give them away and charge such patients for advice only. They will suit almost any case requiring a placebo. Be careful to keep a straight face and to give minute directions concerning the manner and time of using inert remedies given simply to amuse people who are morbid on the subject of health, and you will do them double good.

“You will not only find that your placeboes amuse and satisfy people, but you will often be surprised to hear that some full-of-faith placebo-takers are chanting your praise and are actually willing to swear that they are cured of one or another awful thing by them; cheated into a feeling of health by globules, or teaspoonful doses of flavored water, or liquorice powder, as if by a charm; some who seem to be magically benefited by a teaspoon of – nothing – will actually thank you for saving their lives. What a sad comment on the discerning power of the nineteenth century! What a sad fact for legitimate medicine! What a gold mine for quackery!”

And what a Diamond Mine for the one lucky person in a million who understands the actual power of placebo!

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