Then there was a medicine which was administered to children even in my young days, ‘Daffy’s famous Elixir Salutis, prepared by Katharine Daffy. The finest now exposed to Sale, prepar’d from the best Druggs, according to Art, and the Original Receipt, which my Father, Mr. Thomas Daffy, late Rector of Redmile, in the Valley of Belvoir, having experienc’d the Virtues of it, imparted to his Kinsman, Mr. Anthony Daffy, who publish’d the same to the Benefit of the Community, and his own great Advantage. This very Original Receipt is now in my possession, left to me by my father aforesaid, under his own Hand. My own Brother, Mr. Daniel Daffy, formerly Apothecary in Nottingham, made this ELIXIR from the same Receipt, and Sold it there during his Life. Those, who know me, will believe what I Declare; and those who do not, may be convinc’d that I am no Countefeit, by the Colour, Tast, Smell, and just Operation of my Elixir.’ This was, however, disputed by one John Harrison—and the rivals of nearly two centuries ago, remind us forcibly of the claimants to the original recipe of Bond’s Marking Ink.
A man sold a useful medicine. ‘A most excellent Eye Water, which cures in a very short time all Distempers relating to the Eyes, from whatever Cause soever they proceed, even tho’ they have been of seven, eight, nine, or ten Years’ continuance.... This excellent Water effectually takes away all Rabies or Pimples in the face, or any Part of the Body; it also dissolves any small, or new-come Wens or Bunches under the Skin, so easily that it can hardly be perceived.’
One quack blossomed forth in verse, and thus describes himself: ‘In Cripplegate Parish, in Whitecross Street, almost at the farther End, near Old Street (turning in by the sign of the Black Croe, in Goat Alley, straightforward down three steps, at the sign of the Blew Ball), liveth one of above Forty Years’ Experience, who with God’s Blessing performeth these cures following:
‘To all that please to come, he will and can
Cure most Diseases incident to Man.
The Leprosie, the Cholic, and the Spleen,
And most Diseases common to be seen.
Although not cured by Quack Doctors’ proud,
And yet their Name doth ring and range aloud,
With Riches, and for Cures which others do,
Which they could not perform, and this is true.
This Doctor he performeth without doubt, }
The Ileak Passion, Scurvy, and the gout, }
Even to those the Hospitals turn out.’ }
Such ground as one did not cover, another did. Take, for instance, the following: ‘In Surry-Street, in the Strand, at the Corner House with a White-Balcony and Blue-Flower pots, liveth a Gentlewoman, who
‘Hath a most excellent Wash to beautifie the Face, which cures all Redness, Flushings, or Pimples. Takes off any Yellowness, Morpheu, Sunburn, or Spots on the Skin, and takes away Wrinckles and Driness, caused too often by Mercurial Poysonous Washes, rendring the worst of Faces fair and tender, and preserves ’em so. You may have from half a Crown to five Pound a Bottle. You may also have Night Masks, Forehead Pieces, incomparable whitepots, and Red Pomatum for the lips, which keeps them all the Year plump and smooth, and of a delicate natural colour. She has an admirable Paste to smooth and whiten the Hands, with a very good Tooth powder, which cleanses and whitens the Teeth. And a Water to wash the Mouth, which prevents the Scurvy in the Gums and cures where ’tis already come.
‘You may have a Plaster and Water which takes off Hair from any part of the Body, so that it shall never come again. She has also a most excellent Secret to prevent the Hair from falling, causing it to grow where it is wanting in any part of the Head. She also shapes the Eye-brows, making them perfectly beautiful, without any pain, and raises low Foreheads as high as you please. And colours Grey or Red Hair to a lovely Brown, which never decays, changes, or smoots the Linnen. She has excellent Cosmeticks to anoint the Face after the Small Pox, which wears out any Scars, Marks, or Redness; and has great skill in all manner of sore Eyes.
‘She has a most excellent Dyet Drink which cures the worst of Consumptions, or any Impurity of the Blood: And an Antiscorbutick spirit, which, being taken one spoonful in the Morning, and another at Night, with moderate Exercise, cures the Scurvy, tho’ never so far gone, and all broke out in Blotches: with many other Secrets in Physick, which you may be satisfied in when you speak with her.... She has an approved Remedy for Barrenness in Women.’
Very late in the preceding century (he died May 12, 1691), there was a most famous quack, Dr. Thomas Saffold, one of whose handbills I give as a curiosity:
‘Dear Friends, let your Disease be what God will,
Pray to Him for a Cure—try Saffold’s Skill,
Who may be such a healing Instrument
As will Cure you to your own Heart’s Content.
His Medicines are Cheap, and truly Good,
Being full as safe as your daily Food.
Saffold he can do what may be done, by
Either Physick or true Astrology:
His Best Pills, Rare Elixirs, and Powder,
Do each Day Praise him Lowder and Lowder.
Dear Country-men, I pray be you so Wise, }
When Men Back-bite him, believe not their Lyes, }
But go see him and believe your own Eyes; }
Then he will say you are Honest and Kind,
Try before you Judge, and Speak as you Find.