by Laurel | March 18th, 2013
21 January 1913
Head of Holyoke Institute Arrested on Complaint of State Board Chairman
Claims No Diploma
Magnetic Healer Says He Treats Eyes Without Glasses of Medicines.
“Prof.” George W. Keron, owner of the establishment known as the “Keron Institute” in the Smith building, was arrested this noon on the charge of practicing optometry without being registered. The complaint was made by Charles E. Monroe of Springfield.
Keron came here from Worcester last summer and established headquarters in the Smith building, where he has done a big business, particularly with those who had been treated by Holyoke physicians. Mr. Monroe, who brings the complaint, is chairman of the state board of examiners for optometrists.
According to those most active in bringing about the charge, the evidence was obtained last Saturday, Chairman Monroe and another calling upon “Prof.” Keron at different times and asking him to make an examination of the eyes, which they declare was done. The complaint was issued this morning and Keron was taken into custody by Patrolman O’Donnell, just as he was entering the Smith building from an out-of-town trip. Securities were fixed at $300 for Keron’s appearance in police court tomorrow and he put up the cash.
Keron when seen this afternoon denied making any claims at all to being a doctor. “I do not say I am a M.D.,” he said. “I am simply an M. H., magnetic healer, and because of this I use the title of professor.” “Prof.” Keron says he has been practicing magnetic healing for 28 years, having offices in the past in New York and later in Manchester, N.H., and Worcester. From the latter place he came to Holyoke. “I am a graduate of the Stanhope Institute and six colleges in Europe and America and have studies magnetic healing in India, but I do not claim to have received a medical diploma from any of the institutions,” he said.
The head of the “medical institute” says his rule has been to remain in each city about three years and this, he asserts, is the first time the authorities ever molested him. The “professor” says,, as he makes no claim to being an optometrist the law does not require him to register. “I am a magnetic healer; the eyes are to me simply a part of the body and I treat them with that in view. I do not prescribe glasses or medicine for them.”
Adapted from The Springfield Republican.
[Note: Magnetic healing was somewhat in favor as a theory for a time — a Google search on the topic with 1900 will yield a number of publications on the topic, many of which are avaiable today via companies with print-on-demand services.]
