Another very long advert today. Thomas Clarkson was a member of the Royal College of Surgeons, but his method of cure, which isn’t named in this ad, was a patent medicine by the name of Clarkson’s Specific for Bad Legs. Initially, Clarkson treated the afflicted in person, but because this often meant they had to find lodgings near his home for weeks on end, he soon began selling the remedy so that people could treat themselves. He also provided “Tonic Aperient Pills” to maintain general health.
Mr. Clarkson’s career as a General Practitioner lasted 53 years. In 1885 the Hospital Gazette and Students’ Journal reported:
“At the last meeting of the Council, the name of Mr Thomas Clarkson, of Darley, Ripley, was struck off the roll of the College because he declined to discontinue advertising a sovereign remedy, which he professes to have discovered.”
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Image: Physician attending to a leg wound. 18thC, exact date unknown. Carl August Grossman. Courtesy of the US National Library of Medicine.
NO CURE NO PAY
MR. CLARKSON, SURGEON, engages to Cure
a Disease, oftentimes considered incurable, of however
long standing; and, to enhance the value of the Cure, Mr. C.
is enabled to give instructions which will make it a lasting cure.
Mr. C. guarantees not to make any charge without a perfect cure,
a convincing proof that he can infallibly cure the Disease. The
Disease is what is called a BAD LEG, an old wound, mostly a
little above the ancle. Mr. C. could give fifty cases of extra-
ordinary cures, after the most eminent Surgeons, and even Hos-
pitals and Infirmaries, have failed: he gives a few Cases as
references.
1st. Miss Netherwood, of Silsden, has had a bad leg, and was
in despair some length of time. Mr. C. has cured her.
2nd. Mr. John Ayrton, of Manningham, near Bradford, has
been afflicted with a bad leg or old ulcer for a long time, trying
Surgeons, Quacks, and all things.—Mr. C. cured him in a month.
3rd. Mr. W. Waterhouse, carpet manufacturer, of Dewsbury,
has had a very bad leg for some time.—Cured in three weeks.
4th. Mrs. Gill, of Hampsthwaite, near Harrogate, has been
sorely afflicted for ten years; her health had become much
impaired from constant pain and irritation. Four years ago she
was eight weeks in Leeds Infirmary without relief.—Mr. C. has
cured her.
5th. Miss Eliz. Binns, of Felliscliffe, near Harrogate, suffered
17 years. Ten years ago one Surgeon wanted to cut her leg off.
Several surgeons and a Physician gave partial relief. She was
three times in Leeds Infirmary, and the last time was discharg-
ed incurable.—Cured in seven weeks.
Copy of a letter received by Mr. C. from a Gentleman, a Spirit
Merchant, at Slaithwaite, near Huddersfield.
SIR,—You have earned my lasting gratitude and respect for
the wonderful cure you have performed of my wife, in 5 weeks,
after enduring pain and misery for 17 or 18 years, with a large
wound near the ancle, and trying the most noted surgeons
without avail—despairing of relief from medical aid, until
seeing your advertisement in the Leeds Mercury. Since the cure
she can rest at nights, and her health is now as good as I could
wish. May you receive the reward your merit entitles you to.
You are at liberty to make what use you like of this letter. I
hope you will publish it.—I remain, Sir,
Yours sincerely, JOSEPH PARKIN.
These, and near 100 more that Mr. C. has cured, have inva-
riably enjoyed better health since the cure than before. Inquire.
All Letters must be pre-paid.
Address—Mr. Clarkson, Day-house, Darley, Pately Bridge.
Mr. C., being a duly qualified Practitioner, may be consulted
without Fee at Mr. Butler’s, No. 10, Commercial-Court, Brig-
gate, Leeds, on the last Tuesday in every Month, from 11 to 2.
Mr. C. may also be consulted on any other Case.
Source: The Leeds Mercury, Saturday 16th March 1844
Note: The spelling ancle is used in the original.
