Quackery

What was quack medicine?

Quack medicines made wild claims about their ability to prevent or cure illness and disease although they did not work. At best they were harmless, at worst they could be deadly.

When did quack medicine become popular?

Quack medicine became popular in Britain during the 17th and 18th centuries and was still being used into the 19th century.

Who sold quack medicine?

Quack medicine was sold by 'quacks'. These were travelling salesmen who would sell their wares and move on before the patient realised the medicine didn't work.

What ingredients were in quack medicine use?

Quack medicines were made using everyday ingredients. Brandy and opium were common ingredients but the medicines could contain rhubarb, herbs and spices, and even arsenic or lead.

What is an example of quack medicine?

A famous example of quack medicine was Daffy's Elixir. It claimed to cure gout, rheumatism, kidney stones and colic amongst a range of other things.