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In this article Dr. Meagher gives an account of the cult of orificial or constructive surgery. It is carried out by a certain number of people who call themselves orificial surgeons. Many of these people hold medical degrees. The number of 'orificialists' is increasing, and they conduct sanataria; in Chicago they publish a medical journal. Dr. Meagher
says these people are especially dangerous to the health of women patients. Apparently one can become a proficient orificialist by taking out their correspondence course of instruction, as is shown by this quotation from their journal:
Many of our students have become very proficient orificialists merely through their mastery of the correspondence course, and have not even attended an orificial clinic. We have no dissatisfied students. Join us. Sign the blank. You pay $125 for the course; only $100, if cash is paid at once.
Dr. Meagher adds, 'This payment is the only important requirement to take the course'.
The orificialists only concern themselves with the orifices of the body, and of these the anus and vagina only appear to be of any importance to them. It is true they have had a nose and throat specialist, but he does not seem to be particularly interested in this part of the body. Dr. Meagher quotes from their 'Journal' (Vol. VIII, p. 75):
His specific work for some time has been troubles of the upper orifices and cavities, but unlike the usual nose and throat specialist, a large part of his treatment for these troubles is pelvic attention … the true spirit of the orificialist.
This nose and throat specialist tells how to examine the female external genitalia.
Examine the tissue texture as in the male, with the same conclusions in the same existing conditions. If the tissues are full in both labia majora and labia minora, we will have a full-blooded person who accomplishes things, provided the tissues in the rectum are in good condition. … If the labia majora are flabby or flat, then the round ligaments a