A Wellcome Library GCSE learning resource for Medicine Through Time

The existence of 'quacks' poses a problem for historians of medicine: they obviously had some success - or they would rapidly have gone out of business - yet what they offered had no perceptible medical benefit. What does this tell us about attitudes of the time? What does it tell us about medical knowledge at the time?

Two points are worth making before students attempt the simple tasks: first, quacks were at their peak in the 18th century. This was after the Scientific Revolution, when medicine was by no means backward.  Why?

Secondly, quacks are still around today. Why?

This is one of several resources, prepared by the Wellcome Library, and designed to support teachers and learners preparing for the Schools History Project GCSE course 'Medicine Through Time: A Development Study'.

The resources are not a course in themselves, but focus on key concepts and understandings required by the course, supplementing more commonly used materials. The collection includes some topics central to the course, items that provide overviews and some topics that extend the normal range of coverage.

They can be used online or downloaded for whole classes, groups or individuals as part of a teaching scheme or for self-study. They are appropriate for candidates of any of the GCSE awarding bodies.

Notes for teachers [pdf]

Tasks for students [pdf]