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The Autobiography of a Quack and the Case of George Dedlow
Excerpt from The Autobiography of a Quack: And the Case of George Dedlow
Both of the tales in this little volume appeared originally in the "Atlantic Monthly" as anonymous contributions. I owe to the present owners of that journal permission to use them. "The Autobiography of a Quack" has been recast with large additions.
"The Case of George Dedlow" was not written with any intention that it should appear in print. I lent the manuscript to the Rev. Dr. Furness and forgot it. This gentleman sent it to the Rev. Edward Everett Hale. He, presuming, I fancy, that every one desired to appear in the "Atlantic," offered it to that journal. To my surprise, soon afterwards I received a proof and a check. The story was inserted as a leading article without my name. It was at once accepted by many as the description of a real case.
Both of the tales in this little volume appeared originally in the "Atlantic Monthly" as anonymous contributions. I owe to the present owners of that journal permission to use them. "The Autobiography of a Quack" has been recast with large additions.
"The Case of George Dedlow" was not written with any intention that it should appear in print. I lent the manuscript to the Rev. Dr. Furness and forgot it. This gentleman sent it to the Rev. Edward Everett Hale. He, presuming, I fancy, that every one desired to appear in the "Atlantic," offered it to that journal. To my surprise, soon afterwards I received a proof and a check. The story was inserted as a leading article without my name. It was at once accepted by many as the description of a real case.
Kindle Edition
First published January 1, 1900
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About the author
S. Weir Mitchell
285 books4 followersSilas Weir Mitchell was an American physician and writer.
During the Civil War he had charge of nervous injuries and maladies at Turners Lane Hospital, Philadelphia, and at the close of the war became a specialist in neurology. In this field Weir Mitchell's name became prominently associated with his introduction of the rest cure, subsequently taken up by the medical world, for nervous diseases, particularly hysteria; the treatment consisting primarily in isolation, confinement to bed, dieting and massage. His medical texts include Injuries of Nerves and Their Consequences (1872) and Fat and Blood (1877). Mitchell's disease (erythromelalgia) is named after him.
During the Civil War he had charge of nervous injuries and maladies at Turners Lane Hospital, Philadelphia, and at the close of the war became a specialist in neurology. In this field Weir Mitchell's name became prominently associated with his introduction of the rest cure, subsequently taken up by the medical world, for nervous diseases, particularly hysteria; the treatment consisting primarily in isolation, confinement to bed, dieting and massage. His medical texts include Injuries of Nerves and Their Consequences (1872) and Fat and Blood (1877). Mitchell's disease (erythromelalgia) is named after him.
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Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews
February 12, 2017
the author was a physician. one of his patients went on to write 'the yellow wallpaper' based on a rest treatment she had gone through under his care.
george dedlows a soldier and gets his legs blown right off in the civil war only to be haunted by them later in the form of seance induced 'phantom limbs'
george dedlows a soldier and gets his legs blown right off in the civil war only to be haunted by them later in the form of seance induced 'phantom limbs'
July 30, 2014
I was doing some research on death in the Civil War and read about The Case of George Dedlow, which led me to download this e-book. Though that is an odd and interesting story, combining the horror of the Civil War with some dated religious and psychic phenomenon plot details, The Autobiography of a Quack was the more interesting of the two. It details the life of a selfish, greedy, bigoted, and all-around reprehensible doctor as he tries to make the most money possible from the poorest members of society. He's nearly impossible to cheer for, but the writing is good enough that it's easy to read in one sitting. Plus, it is very easy to believe that a doctor could be an opportunist and a pretty criminal, so there's no suspension of belief required. I can't recommend this to someone who wants nice characters and happy endings, but if you like disturbing 19th century character studies with gory medical details, this is a quick read that's never boring.
March 30, 2022
Reached The Case of George Dedlow through Oliver Sack’s Musicophilia
Seems the basis for Johnny got his gun, if I was brave enough to watch it again
Seems the basis for Johnny got his gun, if I was brave enough to watch it again
March 11, 2020
(only read the case of George Dedlow)
Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews