Quack

One who, without sufficient knowledge, study, or previous preparation, undertakes to practice medicine or surgery, under the pretense that he possesses secrets in those arts. • The origin of the word "quack" is not clearly ascertained. Johnson derives it from the words "to quack," or gabble like a goose. Butler uses this verb as descriptive of the encomiums empirics heap upon their nostrums. Thus, in Hudibras, "To quack of universal cures." The Egyptian hieroglyphic for a doctor was a duck, and it has been a question whether this may not form a clue to the derivation of the word "quack." The English quack — or "quacksalber," as it was originally written — is from the German qv Mcksalber, or rather the Dutch kwaksalver, which Bilderdyk states should be more properly kwabsalver, from kwab, a wen, and zalver, to salve or anoint. 5 Notes & Queries. QUACUNQUE VIA DATA (Lat.) Whichever way you take it; in whichever view of the case. 2 Burrows, 980; 2 Gall. (U. S.) 26. QUADRAGESIMA (Lat.) The fortieth. The first Sunday in Lent is so called because it is about the fortieth day before Easter. Cowell.

One who, without sufficient knowledge, study, or previous preparation, undertakes to practice medicine or surgery, under the pretence that he possesses secrets in those arts. To call a regular physician a quack is actionable. A quack is criminally answerable for his unskillful practice, and also civilly to his patient in certain cases. See Malpractice; Physician.

One who, without sufficient knowledge, study or previous preparation, and without the diploma of some college or university, undertakes to practise medicine or surgery, under the pretence that he possesses secrets in those arts, which he applies indiscriminately. He is criminally answerable for his unskilful practice, and also, civilly to his patient in certain cases. Vide Mala prazis; Physictan.