Scholarly Source 10

Citation: Janik, E. (2014). Marketplace of the marvelous: the strange origins of modern
medicine. Boston: Beacon Press.
Source Validation: Book is published by a scholarly publisher and written by a qualified author.
How did you find this source: Library catalog I literally drove an hour just to get to the
library that had this book so I hope it was worth it.
Intended audience: The book is nothing too fancy when it comes to terminology, and yet it is
dense with information. Not only is it intended for someone looking for an interesting read, but it
is also intended for someone willing to learn, and it does not assume the reader has too much
background knowledge of medicine or history. It is a proper fit for anyone my age (17) and up.
Topics: Chapter one is about Samuel Thompsons botanic medicine, which has to do with
plant medicine, and discusses spread of Thompsons methods as well as the science behind it and
its effectiveness. Chapter two is about the history and practice of phrenology, which is the
controversial practice of characterizing someone by the shape of their head, and the author
makes sure to note specific examples. Chapter three is about hydropathy, which is treatment of
illness or injury with water, internally or externally, by use of temperature (mainly steam baths).
Chapter four is about homeopathy, which is to cure a fever with a fever, that is, whatever may
cause illness in a healthy person will cure a sick person (and although this is entirely not
scientifically supported, it was still a prominent practice in the 19th century). Chapter five is
about hypnotic treatment (which is a chapter I do not intend to study due to lack of relevance to
my topic). Chapter six is the good stuff for my topic: the rise of patented medicine, starting in
the late 19th century, both false and true cures for common and despised ailments. Chapter seven
is about osteopathy and chiropractic treatment, which I also do not intend to reference. Chapter
eight is titled The rise and fall of alternative medicine, alternative medicine being all practices
mentioned in the seven prior chapters, and acts as more of a cultural and historical
overview/analysis rather that an informative focus.
Summaries:
1) Most of the medicines in active use were also known for their harsh effects. Some we
would now think of primarily as poisons, such as the derivations of mercury used to
purge and sweat patients. Leading emetics to produce vomiting included ipecac, tartar
emetic, and sulfate of zinc. Powerful laxatives to clear the bowels included calomel and
the root of the jalap plant. Of these, calomel, or mercurous chloride, was among the most
dreaded of drugs. Doctors believed that this powerful cathartic flushed disease from the
body and stimulated the cleansing power of the liver. But as a compound of mercury,
calomel was also toxic. Patients given doses over a period of several weeks developed
swollen mouths, ulcerated gums, and uncontrolled drooling.
2) [Thomsons] system posited that the cure for every disease could be found growing in
the hills, valleys, meadows, and woods of America. Rather than the painful and often
toxic chemical and mineral compounds of regular medicine, Thomson whipped up
tinctures and teas and concocted salves from herbs, leaves, and roots.
3) Without an underlying theory or a national network of practitioners, patent-medicine
makers could adapt far more seamlessly to the changing medical landscape and latest
health fads that other irregular healing systems. Patent medicines took advantage of
medicines theoretical prospects and thrived on its persistent weaknesses in daily
therapeutic care. All of this to say that despite the excoriating rhetoric of regular
medicine, patent-medicine makers were not all charlatan preying on the innocent and
gullible. Regular doctors had a complicated relationship with advertising, alcohol as
medicine, and self-promotion.