Simon Mohler Landis may have penned what was one of the oddest publications of the 19th century. Landis was a controversial [that's putting it nicely] clergyman and hydropath from Pennsylvania. In between quasi-medical "inventioning," he also pastored the "First Progressive Church of Philadelphia," of which he was the sole originator [1865].
Ever in financial crisis and often completely bankrupt, he attempted to make a living through lectures and by selling inventions such as his "Patent Compound Male and Female Magnitude Syringe and Organic Bath". He styled himself and advertised himself as a doctor, though there is no evidence that he ever attended Medical School. He did run one though, so perhaps he was his one pupil.
The Social War of the Year 1900 is his only novel, for which he credited himself as "S. M. Landis, M.D., D.D." It is dystopian in nature and involves a militant secret society called "the Naturists." These "Naturists" are guided by a heroic, and clearly self-descriptive, character called Victor Juno who heals sickness through animal magnetism instead of medicine. He and his sweetheart Lucinda are opposed by doctors, organized religion and an odd assortment of "Conspirators". Civil war ensues and the Naturists establish a totalitarian eugenic-theocracy that intends to return the world to its Edenic state.
The novel has been called "the worst science fiction novel of the 19th century" and "one of the worst ever written," and is, on that account, all the more desirable.
He also wrote works for the theater and medical texts, including a five-act play based on the present novel (but there is no record of it having been performed) and a sexual education book, A Strictly Private Book on Marriage: Secrets of Generation (1870), on account of which he was prosecuted for obscenity and sentenced to one year of imprisonment at Moyamensing Prison. Never one to turn down the opportunity to make a few bucks, he recounted his trial and incarceration in Prison Life Thoughts! (1872). He also wrote publicly for any press that would have him, remonstrating against self-abuse [masturbation], free love, and doctors and science in general.
This edition contains a catalogue of his other offerings bound in at the rear, including adverts for his "Reformatory Enterprises" which are handled in his office; invitations to his "Healing Department," including Electro-Magnetic Equalizers, Improved Turkish Baths, and Compound Organic Syringing Apparatus . . . all his own inventions, which, when combined Animal Magnetism [wait, where have we heard that before!?], etc, can cure what ails ya, or, as he says, "warranted to cure of all kinds of diseases, if not too far gone." He then adds, "but we have always treated more sexual than any other complaints." There are then testimonials of cancer cured, etc.
But wait, there's more. He is also the "Dean" of the Electro-Hygeio-Psychological Medical College where you can learn to practice medicine, and I quote, "without studying a host of useless books."
He then adverts his "Secrets of Generation," which was "purged by the pharisees so vehemently, for the publication of which they sent the author to prison, and which caused this novel - The Social War." Sold sealed.
And wraps it all up with a brief essay on the physical dangers of masturbation. He really does have all the bases covered!
Very scarce on the market and very much sought; self-published and in but one edition.
Landis, S. M. [Simon Mohler]. An Entirely New Feature of a Thrilling Novel! Entitled, The Social War of the Year 1900; Or, The Conspirators and Lovers! A Lesson for Saints and Sinners. Philadelphia, PA. 1872. 400pp.
A fair copy in original cloth, heavily rubbed with many areas through and color dulled as shown. Pastedown has a label from "Swartout's Circulating Library" tide mark to prelims, badly separated after first signature and before the final; tear across one catalogue page. Some corners dog-eared. That said, complete, desirable, and a real little phantasmagoria of 19th century sci-fi and quasi-medical quackery.