"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 catalogue
Alternative Title:
Vegetable intrenchment and Vegetable entrenchment
Description:
Title etched below image., Attributed to Rowlandson in the British Museum catalogue and Grego., and Temporary local Medical Library subject terms: Proprietary medicines -- Velnos Syrup.
Publisher:
Pubd. Novr. 29, 1789, by W. Fores, No. 3 Piccadilly
Subject (Name):
Swainson, Isaac, 1746-1812
Subject (Topic):
Quacks and quackery, Interpersonal confrontation, Physicians, Mercury, Patent medicines, Bottles, Sculpture, Medical equipment & supplies, and Mortars & pestles
