This April Fool’s Day, we are delving into the deceptive world of quackery.

Travel back to the origins of the quack doctor and explore the most dangerous and daft cures of the 18th and 19th centuries. Taking place in our Victorian Operating Theatre, this talk will expose some of the most notorious historical medicines of the past 300 years.

The 19th century saw an explosion of so-called nerve tonics and pills marketed as cures for everything from insomnia to melancholy. Some of these questionable cures were duds; others were downright dangerous. You will hear first-hand, the tricks and techniques of the crooks and charlatans who profited from them.

This talk is part of April Fakes Day, an Oxford University project celebrating hoaxes, forgeries and fakes in UK museums.

About this event

It will be followed by a 20-minute Q&A session, where you can ask questions and explore the objects up close.  Recommended age guidance: 12+

This ticket includes free admission to the museum galleries on the day of your tour.