Introduction - Uppsala Monitoring Centre

uffles 129 , which sometimes happens from mercurials especially
salivation or any other tendency thereunto.’
Mercurum sublimates dulcis: ‘The consequences of this poison
manifest somewhat like this to be the texture of its parts; for it
occasions violent griping, distention of the belly, a flimsy froth by
vomit, bloody stools and an intolerable heat and thirst with cold
sweats, tremblings and convulsions, which symptoms demonstrate
uncommon twitchings and vellications 130 upon the fibres and
membranous parts and it terminates in a gangrene.’ (Quincy, 1718).
‘The Modern Quack or Physical Impostor detected’ ... with a
supplement displaying present Set of Pretenders to clap 131 -curing,
giving Judgement upon Urine etc. Printed for J Roberts near Oxford
Arms in Warren Lane, London ... This is a violent diatribe against all
quacks, by which he means all that are not members of the Royal
College of Physicians. He finishes by giving a list of the latter to
make sure the reader knows who to consult. ... ‘And lastly, To
instannce in no more, In the disease called an humoral Asthma, or
where there is Catarrh, or great Defluxion of Rheum attending,
especially that which is thick and troublesome to be hawk’d up: here,
I say, a Dose of one of these sleep-procuring, or resting cordials
(Opium) ... some Persons have been so quiet as never to wake
more.’ (London Physician, 1718).
1720 The beginning of the Golden Age of Quackery aided by the
newspapers, which were supplanting pamphlets as a means of
advertisement (Kelly, 2008).
During the 18 th century numerous monographs on iatrogenic
diseases appeared in Halle, Germany:
1. 1726 GE Stahl ‘Examination of badly cured and spoiled diseases’
in which he condemns cathartics, emetics, sudorifics and
especially opium which he says produces hectic fevers, dropsy,
cachexia, colics and gout. Mercury for epilepsy is a very harmful
treatment with gold a swindle and Peruvian bark extremely
dangerous. Spas, astringents and iron medication are misused.
2. 1728 GE Weiss ‘Doctors as the cause of disease’ mentioning the
detrimental effects of bleeding and antimony.
129 Ruffles = wrinkles or disturbances
130 Vellications = muscle twitching
131 Clap = gonorrhoea