Among the most prolific writers was John Smith MD, LLD, FRCS and FRS Edin., who contributed 25 songs to the book. My favourite of his titles is ‘There’s Nae Germs Aboot The Hoose,’ but to remain on the topic of this blog, I here present his song on quackery, which names several famous patent medicines of the late Victorian period. Should anyone wish to have a go at singing it, the tune is ‘Jim the Carter Lad.’
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Primum non nocere -- In the derriere
“"Today, I will take you on a voyage through the hilarious, ridiculous, and dangerous world of quack medicine."”
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Me
Who I Am
Dr. Quackenstein's true identity is that of mild mannered Kentucky native Chris Holland - who is, incidentally, not a doctor at all. His youth was a mixture of GI Joe, Star Wars, and Dungeons and Dragons, and he studied aerospace engineering in collage. Upon graduation, he traveled from city to city, chasing down unique experiences and making friends across the globe. Picking up an interest in Victorian quackery that evolved into an obsession, Chris does his best to educate and entertain, driving home the importance of critical thinking.
Music
What I Hear
Chris composes and performs both original compositions and as a backing musician for Bay Area performers. His works draws from Industrial, classical, and world music influences, with an occasional splash of metal or synthpop. As tastes go, Prince is by far his favorite artist, followed closely by George Michael, Faith No More, Gary Numan, Coil, Jane's Addiction, Nine Inch Nails, Concrete Blonde, and Depeche Mode. His current playlist includes ES23, Absurd Minds, Heath, Howard Jones, and Bones UK.
Art
What I See
Chris works in charcoals, watercolor, and ink, specializing in portraiture. His subjects used to favor music icons, but recent shifts in the political climate have moved him to take on social issues, such as portraits of the 49 victims of the Pulse massacre, portraits of people of color that were killed while unarmed by the authorities, and a series of women, LGBTQ+, and marginalized voices that need to be recognized. He also wields a mean camera, specializing in live music and concert photography. The artists that inspire him the most include Gustave Moreau, Dave McKean, Tim Vigil, and Zdislaw Beksinski.