Grant (Dr.), first a tinker, then a Baptist preacher in Southwark, then oculist to Queen Anne.
Her majesty sure was in a surprise,
Or else was very short-sighted,
When a tinker was sworn to look after her eyes,
And the mountebank tailor was knighted.
Grub Street Journal.
(The “mountebank tailor” was Dr. Read.)
Hancock (Dr.), whose panacea was cold water and stewed prunes.
*** Dr. Sandgrado prescribed hot water and stewed apples.—Lesage, Gil Blas.
Dr. Rezio, of Barataria, would allow Sancho Panza to eat only “a few wafers, and a thin slice or two of quince.”—Cervantes, Don Quixote, II. iii. 10 (1615).
Hannes (Dr.), knighted by Queen Anne. He was born in Oxfordshire.
The queen, like heaven, shines equally on all,
Her favors now without distinction fall,
Great Read, and slender Hannes, both knighted, show
That none their honors shall to merit owe.
A Political Squib of the Period.
Holloway (Professor), noted for his ointment to cure all strumous affections, his digestive pills, and his enormous expenditure in advertising (nineteenth century). Holloway’s ointment is an imitation of Albinolo’s; being analyzed by order of the French law-courts, it was declared to consist of butter, lard, wax and Venice turpentine. His pills are made of aloes, jalap, ginger and myrrh.
Katerfelto (Dr.), the influenza doctor. He was a tall man, dressed in a black gown and square cap, and was originally a common soldier in the Prussian service. In 1782 he exhibited in London his solar microscope, and created immense excitement by showing the infusoria of muddy water, etc. Dr. Katerfelto used to say that he was the greatest philosopher since the time of Sir Isaac Newton.