Patent medicines or nostrums were originally so named in the 17th
century because those finding favour with the reigning monarch were
given letters patent, which authorised the use of the royal endorsement
in their advertising. It does not have anything to do with the modern
concept of patenting. Indeed, throughout their history, most were not
patented but trademarked instead, as patenting would have forced them to
disclose the formula – something quite a few of them desperately wanted
to avoid.
During the 18th century medicine was in
flux. Old ideas – Galen and the Hippocratic tradition – were slowly on
their way of being phased out as doctors influenced by Enlightenment
sought to make medicine into a science, although it would take a very
long time before medicine truly could be called scientific. At the same
time, increased access to exotic plants brought to Europe during the Age
of Exploration encouraged experimentation. People speculated freely on
diseases, how best to treat them and systematise medicine. In addition
to scientific progress – though slow – the 18th century gave rise to
quackery on an unprecedented scale, some of which survives to this day,
homeopathy being the most famous and widespread example....
Read more here: Patent Medicines and Alternative Medicine I: The Dawn of Patent Medicines | Steelclaws on Snake Oil
