The phenomenon of quackery is reviewed, and illustrated with examples from history, the literature and the present. A distinction is drawn between impostors or charlatans, and unorthodox but professional healers. The lessons drawn to suggest that some treatments considered unacceptable in the past have sometimes proved their efficacy over time, and should not always be dismissed out of hand.
JavaScript is turned off in your web browser. Turn it on to take full advantage of this site, then refresh the page.