THOMPSON, C.J.S. The Quacks of Old London.

(London): Brentano’s, 1928.  First edition.  Hardcover.  22.8cm by 15cm.  xvi, 356 pages. A fascinating exploration of fraudulent medical practitioners, charlatans, and “quack” doctors in London from the 16th to 19th centuries. The book provides a historical look at the rise of unlicensed medical figures who preyed on the sick and desperate, often using dubious remedies, elaborate advertisements, and theatrical performances to sell their so-called cures.  An engaging and sometimes humorous look at a lesser-known side of London’s history, shedding light on the interplay between medicine, commerce, and deception whilst also showing how early medical fraud shaped public perceptions of healthcare.  Illustrated throughout.  A very good copy, foxing to prelims and page edges, in a very good dust jacket.