Excerpt from The Refractionist, 1896, Vol. 2: A Monthly Journal of Practical Ophthalmology and Exponent of the Refraction World; Advocates the Dissemination of Scientific Knowledge Among the People, in Reference to the Care of Their Eyes; Urges the Examination of the Eyes of All Children When Enterin
We have laws governing the practice of medicine and surgery; the druggist must answer to the State as to his ability to compound; the midwife is held responsible by the same power; our teeth must have the protection of the law thrown around them; even our domestic animals have the same fostering care; an engineer must show his proficiency before he may follow that occupation; nor can the pilot guide the vessel into the harbor or up and down our rivers without being fully qualified; but not so he who is to fit glasses to people"s eyes. Any ignoramus may go to some so-called optical school for a month, buy a set of test lenses, a few test charts and possibly an optometer, about which he very likely knows nothing, pack a few spectacles and simple lenses into his grip and start out as Prof. Smith, the World"s Greatest "Oculo-optician," (I saw this sign once. Can any one interpret it?) of London, Paris and Chicago. His display of instruments is imposing, and they are mysterious to most people, hence he goes through certain movements with them in such a manner as to inspire confidence and awe, and humbugs them into buying glasses. But even so expensive an outfit is not always necessary, as I will show later on by a very interesting history.
How so many who are quite sensitive as to whom they employ for even the minor ills of the less important portions of their body, can be persuaded to trust the most delicate and sensitive organ of the whole body to the travelling quack and unscrupulous optician, is more than I can understand. Have they a felon, do they go to the shoemaker or the carpenter to have it opened?
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