Francis Anthony
Encyclopedia
Francis Anthony was a noted English
apothecary
and physician
, imprisoned twice for practicing without a license. He made a considerable fortune from a secret remedy he developed called aurum potabile.
on 16 April 1550, the son of Derrick Anthony, goldsmith
, who held a position in the jewel office
under Queen Elizabeth
. He took an M.A. at Cambridge University and also studied chemistry
becoming an M.D
.
He arrived in London
in 1598 and commenced medical practice without a proper license; after six months, he was called before the president and censors of the Royal College of Physicians
(a.d. 1600), and banned from practicing, after being examined in medicine and found inexpert. However he disregarded the injunction, and was subsequently fined five pounds and committed to prison; he was released by a warrant of the Lord Chief Justice
. The college, however, objected and he was returned to prison.
Later, Anthony was again prosecuted for the same offense of unlicensed practice and ordered to pay a heavy fine; he refused and was jailed for eight months, being released at the petition of his wife, and on the ground of poverty, in 1602. He continued to practise in defiance of the college, and further proceedings were threatened, but not carried out, probably because Anthony had powerful friends at court. His practice consisted chiefly, if not entirely, in the prescription and sale of a secret remedy called aurum potabile, from which he made a considerable fortune.
He died 26 May 1623, leaving two sons: John Anthony
(d. 28 April 1655), who became a physician in London; and Charles, who practised at Bedford
. According to the writer in the Biographia Britannica
(1747, i. 169), who professes to have derived his information from family manuscripts, Anthony was a man of high character and very liberal to the poor.
for all diseases.
Anthony was a man of some learning, and defended his panacea in several pamphlets, the two earliest being "Panacea Aurum" (Hamburg, 1598) and "Medicinæ Chymicæ et veri potabilis Auri assertio" (Cambridge, 1610). In these works he quoted many authors in support of his contention, chiefly alchemists, such as Raymond Lull and Arnaldus de Villa Nova
. He referred to Paracelsus
with an apology, but disclaimed any special debt to him, and, amongst others, to Conrad Gesner, who had written about aurum potabile in "The Treasure of Euonymus" (London, 1565, p. 177). Matthew Gwinne
published an answer to Anthony's "Medicinæ Chymicæ" called "Aurum non Aurum etc." (London, 1611).
Anthony published, in both a Latin
and English edition, "Apologia Veritatis illucescentis pro Auro Potabili"/"The Apologie or Defence, etc of Aurum Potabile" (London, 1616). In these, Anthony argued that metals are excellent medicines, and gold
most of all; and that he had found a way that it could be dissolved in a potable form to create a universal medicine. His adversaries denied both the superiority of metallic to other medicines and the special efficacy of gold, declaring that Anthony's method did not dissolve gold, and there was no such thing as a universal medicine.
Anthony offered to demonstrate his process to certain select witnesses; and it appears that a demonstration actually took place at the College of Physicians in 1609, in the presence of 'Baron' Thomas Knivet, the master of the mint, and other skilled persons. An ounce of gold was given to Anthony, which, however he failed to dissolve. Although Anthony's process was actually given in the Biographia Britannica
of 1747, this was on the unquestioned acceptance of one of his manuscripts; and it is evident that the ultimate product described there could not contain any gold. In Anthony's last work he claimed that his remedy had cured many distinguished persons; this claim was attacked by one of the very patients cited in the work - a Dr. Cotta. In spite of these attacks potable gold became a very popular remedy.
The popular belief in the virtues of gold as a medicine, though based on fanciful grounds, was too deeply rooted to be shaken, and even -Robert Boyle
, in 1685, commented that, though prejudiced against ‘aurum potabiles and the like’ (sic), he found a certain tincture of gold which had marvellous effects (Boyle on Specifick Medicines, London, 1685). It is now known that preparations of gold do have some, though not very potent, medicinal properties, though certainly not the marvellous powers attributed to preparations which, in the final analysis, could not have contained any gold in the first place!
English people
The English are a nation and ethnic group native to England, who speak English. The English identity is of early mediaeval origin, when they were known in Old English as the Anglecynn. England is now a country of the United Kingdom, and the majority of English people in England are British Citizens...
apothecary
Apothecary
Apothecary is a historical name for a medical professional who formulates and dispenses materia medica to physicians, surgeons and patients — a role now served by a pharmacist and some caregivers....
and physician
Physician
A physician is a health care provider who practices the profession of medicine, which is concerned with promoting, maintaining or restoring human health through the study, diagnosis, and treatment of disease, injury and other physical and mental impairments...
, imprisoned twice for practicing without a license. He made a considerable fortune from a secret remedy he developed called aurum potabile.
Life
Anthony was born in LondonLondon
London is the capital city of :England and the :United Kingdom, the largest metropolitan area in the United Kingdom, and the largest urban zone in the European Union by most measures. Located on the River Thames, London has been a major settlement for two millennia, its history going back to its...
on 16 April 1550, the son of Derrick Anthony, goldsmith
Goldsmith
A goldsmith is a metalworker who specializes in working with gold and other precious metals. Since ancient times the techniques of a goldsmith have evolved very little in order to produce items of jewelry of quality standards. In modern times actual goldsmiths are rare...
, who held a position in the jewel office
Jewel House
The Jewel House in the Tower of London is both a building and an institution. Until 1782 it was the Department of the Jewel Office, under the Master of the Jewel Office, who was generally a senior politician.-History:...
under Queen Elizabeth
Elizabeth I of England
Elizabeth I was queen regnant of England and Ireland from 17 November 1558 until her death. Sometimes called The Virgin Queen, Gloriana, or Good Queen Bess, Elizabeth was the fifth and last monarch of the Tudor dynasty...
. He took an M.A. at Cambridge University and also studied chemistry
Chemistry
Chemistry is the science of matter, especially its chemical reactions, but also its composition, structure and properties. Chemistry is concerned with atoms and their interactions with other atoms, and particularly with the properties of chemical bonds....
becoming an M.D
Doctor of Medicine
Doctor of Medicine is a doctoral degree for physicians. The degree is granted by medical schools...
.
He arrived in London
London
London is the capital city of :England and the :United Kingdom, the largest metropolitan area in the United Kingdom, and the largest urban zone in the European Union by most measures. Located on the River Thames, London has been a major settlement for two millennia, its history going back to its...
in 1598 and commenced medical practice without a proper license; after six months, he was called before the president and censors of the Royal College of Physicians
Royal College of Physicians
The Royal College of Physicians of London was founded in 1518 as the College of Physicians by royal charter of King Henry VIII in 1518 - the first medical institution in England to receive a royal charter...
(a.d. 1600), and banned from practicing, after being examined in medicine and found inexpert. However he disregarded the injunction, and was subsequently fined five pounds and committed to prison; he was released by a warrant of the Lord Chief Justice
Lord Chief Justice of England and Wales
The Lord Chief Justice of England and Wales is the head of the judiciary and President of the Courts of England and Wales. Historically, he was the second-highest judge of the Courts of England and Wales, after the Lord Chancellor, but that changed as a result of the Constitutional Reform Act 2005,...
. The college, however, objected and he was returned to prison.
Later, Anthony was again prosecuted for the same offense of unlicensed practice and ordered to pay a heavy fine; he refused and was jailed for eight months, being released at the petition of his wife, and on the ground of poverty, in 1602. He continued to practise in defiance of the college, and further proceedings were threatened, but not carried out, probably because Anthony had powerful friends at court. His practice consisted chiefly, if not entirely, in the prescription and sale of a secret remedy called aurum potabile, from which he made a considerable fortune.
He died 26 May 1623, leaving two sons: John Anthony
John Anthony
John "Jack" Anthony is a professional Australian rules football player who plays for the Fremantle Football Club in the Australian Football League . Anthony used to play for the Collingwood Football Club, but left the club at the end of the 2010 season.- Early life :Anthony originally played as a...
(d. 28 April 1655), who became a physician in London; and Charles, who practised at Bedford
Bedford
Bedford is the county town of Bedfordshire, in the East of England. It is a large town and the administrative centre for the wider Borough of Bedford. According to the former Bedfordshire County Council's estimates, the town had a population of 79,190 in mid 2005, with 19,720 in the adjacent town...
. According to the writer in the Biographia Britannica
Biographia Britannica
Biographia Britannica was a multi-volume biographical compendium, "the most ambitious attempt in the latter half of the eighteenth century to document the lives of notable British men and women". The first edition, edited by William Oldys, appeared in 6 volumes between 1747 and 1766...
(1747, i. 169), who professes to have derived his information from family manuscripts, Anthony was a man of high character and very liberal to the poor.
Works
Anthony's career and his conflict with the College of Physicians illustrate the conditions of medical profession in the 17th century. He was censored by the college, not only because he practised without a license, or because he lauded chemical remedies and was against the traditional 'Galenical' — i.e. animal and vegetable drugs — but because he kept the composition of his remedy a secret, and put it forward as a panaceaPanacea
In Greek mythology, Panacea was a goddess of healing. She was the daughter of Asclepius and Epione. Panacea and her five sisters each performed a facet of Apollo's art: Panacea was the goddess of cures, Iaso was the goddess of recuperation, Hygieia was the goddess of disease prevention, Aceso was...
for all diseases.
Anthony was a man of some learning, and defended his panacea in several pamphlets, the two earliest being "Panacea Aurum" (Hamburg, 1598) and "Medicinæ Chymicæ et veri potabilis Auri assertio" (Cambridge, 1610). In these works he quoted many authors in support of his contention, chiefly alchemists, such as Raymond Lull and Arnaldus de Villa Nova
Arnaldus de Villa Nova
Arnaldus de Villa Nova was an alchemist, astrologer and physician....
. He referred to Paracelsus
Paracelsus
Paracelsus was a German-Swiss Renaissance physician, botanist, alchemist, astrologer, and general occultist....
with an apology, but disclaimed any special debt to him, and, amongst others, to Conrad Gesner, who had written about aurum potabile in "The Treasure of Euonymus" (London, 1565, p. 177). Matthew Gwinne
Matthew Gwinne
-Life:He was of Welsh descent, son of Edward Gwinne, grocer, and was born in London. On 28 April 1570 he entered Merchant Taylors' School. He was elected to a scholarship at St. John's College, Oxford, in 1574, and afterwards became a fellow there. He proceeded B.A. 14 May 1578, and M.A. 4 May 1582...
published an answer to Anthony's "Medicinæ Chymicæ" called "Aurum non Aurum etc." (London, 1611).
Anthony published, in both a Latin
Latin
Latin is an Italic language originally spoken in Latium and Ancient Rome. It, along with most European languages, is a descendant of the ancient Proto-Indo-European language. Although it is considered a dead language, a number of scholars and members of the Christian clergy speak it fluently, and...
and English edition, "Apologia Veritatis illucescentis pro Auro Potabili"/"The Apologie or Defence, etc of Aurum Potabile" (London, 1616). In these, Anthony argued that metals are excellent medicines, and gold
Gold
Gold is a chemical element with the symbol Au and an atomic number of 79. Gold is a dense, soft, shiny, malleable and ductile metal. Pure gold has a bright yellow color and luster traditionally considered attractive, which it maintains without oxidizing in air or water. Chemically, gold is a...
most of all; and that he had found a way that it could be dissolved in a potable form to create a universal medicine. His adversaries denied both the superiority of metallic to other medicines and the special efficacy of gold, declaring that Anthony's method did not dissolve gold, and there was no such thing as a universal medicine.
Anthony offered to demonstrate his process to certain select witnesses; and it appears that a demonstration actually took place at the College of Physicians in 1609, in the presence of 'Baron' Thomas Knivet, the master of the mint, and other skilled persons. An ounce of gold was given to Anthony, which, however he failed to dissolve. Although Anthony's process was actually given in the Biographia Britannica
Biographia Britannica
Biographia Britannica was a multi-volume biographical compendium, "the most ambitious attempt in the latter half of the eighteenth century to document the lives of notable British men and women". The first edition, edited by William Oldys, appeared in 6 volumes between 1747 and 1766...
of 1747, this was on the unquestioned acceptance of one of his manuscripts; and it is evident that the ultimate product described there could not contain any gold. In Anthony's last work he claimed that his remedy had cured many distinguished persons; this claim was attacked by one of the very patients cited in the work - a Dr. Cotta. In spite of these attacks potable gold became a very popular remedy.
The popular belief in the virtues of gold as a medicine, though based on fanciful grounds, was too deeply rooted to be shaken, and even -Robert Boyle
Robert Boyle
Robert Boyle FRS was a 17th century natural philosopher, chemist, physicist, and inventor, also noted for his writings in theology. He has been variously described as English, Irish, or Anglo-Irish, his father having come to Ireland from England during the time of the English plantations of...
, in 1685, commented that, though prejudiced against ‘aurum potabiles and the like’ (sic), he found a certain tincture of gold which had marvellous effects (Boyle on Specifick Medicines, London, 1685). It is now known that preparations of gold do have some, though not very potent, medicinal properties, though certainly not the marvellous powers attributed to preparations which, in the final analysis, could not have contained any gold in the first place!
Further reading
- Thomson, C. J. S. Quacks of Old London (Brentano, 1928) p. 31 ff.