Guest 660- Registered: 14 Mar 2008
- Posts: 3,205
30 August 2009
20:5628240#1
Just returned from Northumbria what a stunning area,Hadrians wall,Lindisfarne,Hexham Durham and Carlisle were visited and while in Hexham old Gaol (visiting not staying) we found out why Dr's are called Quacks,I had heard this before but does anyone else know.
Next visit to Hadrians wall is to walk the entire 73 miles anyone else fancy it?
If you knew what I know,we would both be in trouble!
Guest 649- Registered: 12 Mar 2008
- Posts: 14,118
30 August 2009
21:4728243#2
I will phone my son-inlaw who is a Dr and aske him John.
Guest 657- Registered: 13 Mar 2008
- Posts: 3,037
30 August 2009
22:1628244#3
I believe it originates from quacksalver, from the Dutch word 'quacken' - to prattle and 'salve' which was a healing ointment. A person who sold useless medicines claiming that they were miraculous cures.
Guest 649- Registered: 12 Mar 2008
- Posts: 14,118
30 August 2009
22:1928245#4
I am taking some of them now
Guest 660- Registered: 14 Mar 2008
- Posts: 3,205
31 August 2009
17:0628335#5
Jeane very good but not what I was told,during the plague Doctors thought you could catch the plague by breathing it in,of course this was wrong,so they wore a mask that resembled a duck shape which they stuffed full of smellie stuff to keep the smell away,and they wore leather coats and trousers as they thought that would protect them,and it did.In fact they were right because the fleas from the black rat which was responsible for passing on the plague and it could not stay on them and so without realising it this helped the Doctors not to get the plague.So he word Quack came from the Duck-like masks.
If you knew what I know,we would both be in trouble!
Guest 657- Registered: 13 Mar 2008
- Posts: 3,037
31 August 2009
17:1728339#6
I like that version better JHG
howard mcsweeney1- Location: Dover
- Registered: 12 Mar 2008
- Posts: 62,352
31 August 2009
21:5828350#7
i have never found my GP to be a quack.
always prescribes state of the art leeches.