☛Books either propounding or describing quack
medicine, dubious scientific theories, and the like.
See also our page of Wrong
History, which overlaps this category.
A Short View of the Frauds, and Abuses Committed by Apothecaries; as well in relation to patients, as physicians: and of the only remedy thereof by physicians making their own medicines. By Christopher Merrett. The second edition more correct. London: James Allestry, 1670.
Lex talionis; sive vindiciae pharmacoporum; or a short reply to Dr. Merrett’s book; and others, written against the apothecaries: wherein may be discovered the frauds and abuses committed by doctors professing and practising pharmacy. London: Moses Pitt. 1670.
Humbugs of New-York: being a remonstrance against popular delusion; whether in science, philosophy, or religion. By David Meredith Reese, M.D. New-York: John S. Taylor, 1838. —Includes interesting discussions of “ultra-abolitionism” and “ultra-Protestantism” among the “humbugs.”Quackery Unmasked: or a consideration of the most prominent empirical schemes of the present time, with an enumeration of some of the causes which contribute to their support. By Dan King, M.D. Boston: David Clapp, 1858. —More than a third of the book is devoted to a refutation of homeopathy. The word “empirical” requires some explanation: until the twentieth century, it was used to mean “Unwarranted by science; charlatanic,” according to Worcester’s Dictionary. Dr. Johnson defines “empirically” as “In the manner of quacks.”
The Humbugs of the World: An Account of Humbugs, Delusions, Impositions, Quackeries, Deceits and Deceivers Generally, in all ages. By P. T. Barnum. New York: Carleton, 1866. —“There is no one, perhaps, better qualified than Mr. Barnum, the Prince of Humbuggers, to detect and describe humbug in all its ramifications and phases. He has written a very amusing book concerning humbugs of various sorts, among which are medicines and quacks, hoaxes, ghosts and witchcrafts, adventurers, etc.” —Godey’s Lady’s Book and Magazine.
Spirit Slate Writing and Kindred Phenomena. By William E. Robinson. Munn & Company, Scientific American Office, New York City, 1898. —Robinson was a performing magician under the name Chung Ling Soo; like the Amazing Randi, he used his knowledge of stage magic to expose the tricks practiced by suposed mediums.
Varieties:
or, A Surveigh of Rare and Excellent Matters,
necessary and delectable for all sorts of persons.
Wherein the principall Heads of diverse Sciences are
illustrated, rare secrets of Naturall things
unfoulded, &c. By David Person, of Lougblands in
Scotland, Gentleman. London: Printed by Richard Badger
for Thomas Alchorn, 1635. —There is almost no subject
on which our author cannot thoroughly misinform us.
“The true making of that [Philosopher’s] Stone is
neither expensive, nor long, nor wearisome to those
that have the dexterity of it.…”
Another
copy.
The Mirror of Alchimy, Composed by the thrice-famous and learned Fryer, Roger Bachon, sometimes fellow of Martin Colledge: and afterwards of Brasen-nose Colledge in Oxenforde. Also a most excellent and learned discourse of the admirable force and efficacie of Art and Nature, written by the same Author. With certaine other worthie Treatises of the like Argument. London: Richard Olive, 1597. —Probably not really Bacon’s work, but if you want the philosopher’s stone in either white or designer red, this is your book.
The Last Will and Testament of Basil Valentine, Monke of the Order of St. Bennet, Which being a lone, he hid under a table of marble, behind the high-altar of the Cathedral Church, in the imperial city of Erford: leaving it there to be found by him, whom Gods Providence should make worthy of it. To which is added two treatises: The First declaring his Manual Operations: The Second shewing things Natural and Supernatural. Never before published in English. London: Edward Brewster, 1671. —Curiously, the second half of this copy is a typewritten transcription of the first half.
Le
Mercure Indien, ou le Tresor des Indes.
Par P. D. R.[Pierre de Rosnel]. Paris, 1672.
Magnalia
naturae: or, the philosophers-stone
lately expos’d to publick sight and sale. Being a true
and exact account of the manner how Wenceslaus
Seilerus the late famous projection-maker, at the
Emperours court, at Vienna, came by, and made away
with a very great quantity of pouder of projection, by
projecting with it before the Emperor, and a great
many Witnesses, selling it, &c., for some years
past. By john Joachim Becher, one of the Council of
the Emperor, and a Commissioner for the EXAMEN
of this Affair. London: tho. Dawks, 1680. —The author
is a believer, but this appears to us to be an
excellent account of what we might today call a long
con.
The Universal Dreamer, containing the interpretation of a great variety of dreams, explaining their meaning, and disclosing the secrets of futurity. London: W. S. Fortey [no date, but Fortey is described as a “steam printer”].
The Golden Dreamer; or, Dreams Realized, containing the interpretation of a great variety of dreams. Glasgow, 1817 (if the number “17” at the bottom refers to the year).
The New Golden Dreamer. A true interpretation of dreams, with other curious matter regarding love and courtship. New Castle (England): John Ross, [undated, but about 1820-1830, to judge by the heavy “modern” type used.]
The Interpretation of Dreams and Moles. with other curious matters, relating to love and courtship. Newcastle upon Tyne: J. Marshall, [no date; 1800 or before, to judge by the long S].
The Golden Dreamer; or, Dreamers’ Interpreter, clearly showing how all things past, present, and to come may be ascertained by means of dreams; to which is added, a correct signification of moles. Newcastle-on-Tyne: Bowman, [no date]. —“A mole on the right side and upper part of the breast, shows a person will gain a fortune by a lottery.”
Phrenology, in Connection with the Study of Physiognomy. By J. G. Spurzheim, M. D. Illustration of Characters, with thirty-five plates. First American edition, improved. To which is prefixed a biography of the author, by Nahum Capen. Boston: Marsh, Capen & Lyon, 1833.
The Illustrated Self-Instructor in Phrenology and Physiology, with one hundred engravings, and a chart of the character as given by O. S. and L. N. Fowler, practical phrenologists. New York: Fowlers and Wells, 1855.
The Study of the Human Face, illustrated by twenty-six full-page steel engravings. By Thomas Woolnoth, Esq., Historical Engraver to the Queen. London: William Tweedie, 1865. —An attempt at a popular introduction to the science of physiognomy, with 26 typical traits, each illustrated by a suitable engraved portrait.
L’Homme criminel. Atlas. Par César Lombroso. Turin: Bocca Frères, 1888. —With many engravings and charts.
Of Ghostes and Spirites, Walking by Night, and of straunge noyses, crackes, and sundrie forewarnings, which commonly happen before the death of men: Great slaughters, and alterations of Kingdoms. One Booke, Written by Lewes Lavaterus of Tigurine, and translated into English by R. H. London: Thomas Creede, 1596. —Printed in Creede’s neat blackletter type.