Imagine it's 1850 and you live in a rural area, far away from doctors and the latest advances in medical technology.

And then you get sick. What would you do?

It's this fear that gave rise to The Snake Oil Salesmen, travelling hucksters who sold ointments, tinctures, tablets and the eponymous snake oil. 

In this episode, I talk to historian Dr Jo Clyne about snake oils (both real and fake), electric hairbrushes, and the weirdest treatment for non-existent tapeworms you've ever seen.

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