Mercury and his advocates defeated, or, Vegetable intrenchment [graphic].Rowlandson, Thomas, 1756-1827, printmaker[29 November 1789]eng"A quack doctor (right) stands outside his house surrounded by a pyramid of bottles inscribed 'Velnos Syrup', one of which he holds up, demonstrating its virtues with a complacent smile to a band of rival practitioners (left) who are furiously threatening his barricade. Behind his head is inscribed : 'List of Cures \ In 1788,5,000 \ In 1789, 10,000'. The house is at the corner of 'Frith Street'; it has a porch inscribed in large letters 'Mr Swainson N. 21'. A surgeon threatens Swainson with a knife, raising also a leg to kick. A second surgeon kneels on one knee, also holding a knife and glaring ferociously; beside him is a basket of surgeon's instruments. Behind him is a man who directs an enormous syringe at the self-satisfied Swainson. An old man wearing spectacles holds up a 'Pill Box'. These assailants are dominated by a very stout man in the rear who holds up a pestle in one hand, in the other a mortar inscribed 'Mercury the only Specific'. Above his head is poised a nude Mercury holding a caduceus and urging on the attacking force."--British Museum online catalogueTitle etched below image.Attributed to Rowlandson in the British Museum catalogue and Grego.Temporary local Medical Library subject terms: Proprietary medicines -- Velnos Syrup.