Sympathy Water | AdventAI

Pacific Press Publishing Company · Oakland, California · Mar 25, 1903

FromSigns of the Times, Vol. 29, No. 12.

“Sympathy Water.”

A court in New York has just fined a clairvoyant fifty dollars for practising medicine without a license. There is no question as to the unfitness of the woman to practise medicine, but we do not believe the law had the right to fine her. She testified that she gave a harmless preparation which she called “sympathy water,” and she tells us she has saved a great many people in that way. Medical men do frequently the same thing. They do not give “sympathy water,” but a placebo, a harmless mixture, as slightly bitter water, to persons who believe themselves sick.—The Christian Advocate sensibly remarks: “Hasten the day when people would rather pay for hygienic advice, sensible warnings, and the least possible medicine adequate to the case, than for large doses, inert compounds, magic powders, or ‘sympathy waters!’ Sunshine, fresh air, hygienic food, plenty of exercise, and forgetfulness of self in labor for others, is more potent than the strongest drugs, the mildest placebo, or “sympathy water.”