This page is a part of the Falls County, TXGenWeb project and all of the information here is FREE for you to use. If you are being charged to view or use any of this information, please contact Lindsay Hale Boyd/a>.
Submitted by:
Kay Cunningham
Introduction
By Author
For many years I have
wanted to write a book relating my experiences and conversations with the
thousands of patients who have been treated under my direction at Marlin, Texas,
since I came here on the 5th day of July, 1897- nearly fifty years ago.
Many of these men and
women have come back, year after year, for a "check-up." These old friends and
patients have often expressed their appreciation not only for the physical
healing but for the advice and philosophy they received and which, they claim,
has added health and enjoyment to their years. As an expression of the value
which I place upon their friendship, this book is dedicated to them.
In away, this book is
also my autobiography.
I have always enjoyed
reading the history of the lives of men and women. "The Autobiography of
Benjamin Franklin," and later "The Americanization of Edward Bok" were two books
which exercised a profound influence on my life. Stories of the life of Luther
Burbank, of Henry Ford, and Elbert Hubbard's "One Hundred and Seventy-three
Journeys to the Homes of the Great" were read by me with I wonder and lively
sympathy.
A biography written by
another seems more modest, but after all, the autobiography represents the
writer's own ideas, his inspirations and aspirations.
It rings true with the
good coin of the price he paid for whatever success he has achieved, and gives
assurance to others striving with like problems.
A few years ago I met
Dr. Arthur E. Hertzler, of Halstead, Kansas, who wrote the popular book, "The
Horse and Buggy Doctor." I told him when his book got out of the way, I was
coming out with mine, "The Doctor's Scrapbook," which would contain not only my
autobiography and brief sketches from the lives of friends of early days, but
scraps of information I had given my patients, scraps of information they gave
me, and "scraps" I had with them through fifty years of intensive practice as a
"One Horse Doctor"-without the buggy. By a strange coincidence, Dr. Hertzler
died September 12, 1946, the day that I finished my book.
This book is not being
written to advertise me or Marlin; it is designed to be both instructive and
entertaining. It will offer a varied and comprehensive study of human nature,
and show how seemingly unimportant events often mark epochs in our lives.
Parents and birthplaces, school days and college years, friendships formed,
sweethearts met-and the one I married-all these form the pattern for a career.
The choice of a profession, the location of a home-such matters are easily
influenced in their decisions sometimes, but they are subjects for careful
consideration and prayer.
Within the covers of
this book will be found many talks with my patients, little jokes and verses
which have been a part of their treatment. These they often remember for years
and repeat to me when they return. My propensity for rhyming has caused to be
pinned on me the label, "The Motto Man of Texas."
Since the terrible
World War struggle has closed, it behooves us all to use every means to build a
better race- mentally, morally and physically. Only by such improvement of
ourselves can we hope to reduce crime, prevent further wars, and bring lasting
peace. We should take pride in our bodies-the temples of our souls-and treat
them with at least as much consideration as we do our automobiles.
We take our cars to
the repair shops for frequent check- ups, so that they will keep going; when
they wear out we get new ones. But when our bodies wear out we cannot replace
them. Maybe our wives can-or our husbands- but we don't want to cooperate.
Frequent physical check-ups and hospital insurance are two of the best
safeguards in lengthening the life of the human machine.
It is the hope of the
author that my own experiences, asset down in this book, will awaken memories
and instill truths that will enrich the future lives of you, my readers, I
making you better and happier as the years go by.
My own personal motto
is the motto of my college: "Omnia
probate; bonum tenete." "Prove all things and hold: fast to the good." The motto
of our institution is: "Mens sana en corpore sano." My professional motto is:
"Do unto others as you would have them do unto you." This rule, if practiced by
the world today, would solve all our social, economic and political problems,
and bring permanent peace and happiness.