Sir
William Read, a doctor who could hardly read, was one of the most pertinacious advertisers of his time. He advertised in the
Tatler
that he had been 35 years in the practice of
'couching cataracts, taking off all sorts of wens, curing wry necks and hair lips without blemish, though never so deformed.'
His wife assisted him, and after his death carried on his business, advertising that,
'The Lady Read, in Durham Yard, in the Strand, having obtained a peculiar method of couching cataracts and curing all diseases of the eyes, by Sir William Read's method and medicines, and having had above 15 years' experience ... Note. Sir William Read has left only with his lady the true receipt of his Styptich Water,' &c., &c.
Dr. Grant was another advertising oculist, illiterate and celebrated, originally a tinker or cobbler, afterwards a Baptist preacher in Southwark.
Mr. Moore sold a powder which, according to his advertisements, brought off worms of incredible length.