Genre:

News-Commentary, Drollery

Subjects:

Medical Practitioners, Commerce, Quackery, Charlatanry, Commerce, Medical Treatment, Pharmaceuticals

    Discusses an advertisement from a distinguished medical practitioner (whose name is anonymized by Punch as 'Mr. Newleaf') who describes his considerable medical training and, while confessing to frequent drunkenness, reassures his patients that 'he may now always be found at home sober'. Contrasts the honesty of this advertisement with 'most medical advertisements' and argues that since not even drunken quacks would confess to mendacity, Mr Newleaf need not fear being mistaken for a quack. Criticises other parts of his advertisement for smacking 'too much of the nature of mere puffs'. Concludes by noting Punch's policy towards medicines of 'Least taken, soonest mended'.