"Strike at the Real Cause, Doctor."
A wealthy invalid, who was far too fond of the bottle, sent one day for his physician, and after detaining him for some time with a minute description of his pains and aches, said: "Now Doctor, you have humbugged me long enough with your good-for-nothing pills and worthless draughts; they don't touch the real difficulty. I wish you to strike at the real cause of my ailments, if it be in your power." "It shall be done," replied the doctor, and at the same moment he lifted his cane and demolished a decanter of gin that stood on the table. "Now then," continued the honest physician, "I have struck at the real cause of your ailments; banish the 'bottle,' and you will far less need my pills and draughts."