Caroline Rance's Blog, page 4
August 8, 2014
What the Apothecary Ordered
I’m delighted to announce that 10 August is the UK publication day for a pocket volume I compiled for Old House Books, an imprint of Shire Publications. What the Apothecary Ordered gathers together some of the more peculiar remedies of the last two millennia, and presents them alongside evocative images …
June 30, 2014
‘A new sensation’ – hair-brushing by machinery
Among the gems released into the public domain by the British Library last December is an advertisement for Batkin & Kent, Hairdressers and Perfumers of Stafford, (or Staffford – whoever proofread it probably hoped it would disappear with the next edition of the book rather than re-emerge on the internet …
June 8, 2014
Strange case: ‘At all events the blade fell’
Injuries acquired in unusual circumstances, spurious news storiesof medical happenings, bizarre or gruesome reports from doctors’ casebooks… Strange casesis an occasional feature on the Quack Doctorthat reproduces these tales. Today we meet a morbidParisian who ended upspiting his face. Model of Guillotine Severs Owner’s Nose A citizen of Paris, a … Continue reading
May 17, 2014
‘A Damnable Villain’ part 2 – a free pony for your wife!
In the second part of his guest article, Robert K. Waits – author of The Medical Electricians – reveals Byron H Robb’s change of career from electro-magnetic entrepreneur to Texas rancher. Read Part 1 here. . Even as a Farmington, Ohio, teenager in 1854, Robb was honing his skill … Continue reading
May 1, 2014
‘A Damnable Villain’ – Byron H. Robb and the Electro-Magnetic Brush Co.
The Quack Doctor is delighted to welcome guest blogger Robert K. Waits, author of The Medical Electricians: George A. Scott and His Victorian Cohorts in Quackery. In this two-part article, Robert discusses the colourful career of 19th-century fraudster Byron H Robb. . In 1878 George Augustus Scott gained fame in … Continue reading
April 1, 2014
History Carnival 132
It might be 1 April but there are no fools in the history blogosphere if the last month is anything to go by. I’m pleased to present History Carnival 132, showcasing some of the fascinating blog posts published in March. Thank you to all who submitted articles for inclusion. The … Continue reading
March 21, 2014
History Carnival – nominations please!
The Quack Doctor will be hosting the April edition of The History Carnival, a monthly showcase for the latest history blogging, and you are invited to nominate posts for inclusion. The Carnival is a fun way to share news, views and research as well as to discover other bloggers writing … Continue reading
March 3, 2014
Ramey’s Medicator: an inventor’s survival
Advertisements for Ramey’s Medicator claimed that it would overcome ‘death dealing disease.’ What most customers didn’t know, however, was that the inhaler would never have existed at all if its inventor had not survived a gruesome surgical ordeal. The Medicator was patented by Alfred H Ramey and Frank D Rollins … Continue reading
February 7, 2014
Guest post: England’s ‘only female doctor’?
Last year, The Quack Doctor featured some bottles from the collection of Michael Till, including this gorgeous and rare example of Cavania’s Wonder-Worker Lotion. A father and daughter team, Professor and Mademoiselle Cavania practised in the north of England during the 1860s and 70s. The prospect of formal medical qualifications … Continue reading
January 27, 2014
Event: Do not untimely die!
I will be speaking at Arnos Vale Cemetery in Bristol on 27 February 2014 as part of their ‘Matters of Life and Death’ programme sponsored by the Wellcome Trust. Tickets are £5 via the Cemetery’s website, and you can find the full list of talks here. Do not untimely die! … Continue reading
