Street Doctor

A street vendor of cough lozenges and healing ointment, c. 1877. This vendor described to the photographer how he believed his recovery from blindness was due to the ointment he received from a similar street 'doctor'. Thus he, in turn, set up in business with the man. Despite the increasing number of free hospitals where the poor could consult qualified doctors, many continued to opt for solutions to their ailments from such 'quacks' both to retain independence and because of a lack of time. From a series of 37 photographs published in the book, 'Street Life in London' (1877), with text written by Thomson and the journalist Adolphe Smith. [p.19]