In 1804 Lettsom published a series of letters on "Quacks and Empiricism" in " The Medical and Physical Journal". The intention was that one or more "characters" would be described each month.
The second letter described Dr. Griffenberg (and relates the story of Dr. Griffenberg and Lord Baltimore) and Dr.Mayersbach. See Lettsom: His Life, Times and Descendants by James Johnston Abraham, for more details of the events surrounding the publication of these articles.
From his ashes rose a phoenix of great celebrity, Dr. Mayersbach, near Schweinfurth, in Germany. He came to London in November, 1773; and, from his subsequent success, he must have possessed strong radical powers. Every other scheme that was suggested to his invenitve mind having failed, he offered himself to Angelo, who then kept a riding school, but was not accepted, as his diminuitive size rendered him unsuitable for an equestrian posture-maker. About this period (1773), he became acquainted , by an introductory letter from Mr. Bresener, his brother-in-law, with his countryman, Dr. Griffenberg, before his reputation was totally blasted by his voluptuous services to Lord Baltimore; and it was agreed between them, that Griffenberg should initiate Mayersbach into his urinary deceptions, for which a share of the profits should be given to the tutor, and which the great success of the pupil was enabled amply to confer; but which was probably withdrawn when Mayersbach became himself a professional adept; at least, so I was informed by Griffenberg and his wife; part of the engagement, indeed, extended to the latter, provided she should survive her husband, which really happened. The agreement, so far as it respected the widow, is literally translated from the original:
Theodor Van Mayers of Mayersbach
London, No 1773"
At the time that Dr. Mayersbach first came under the tuition of Dr. Griffenberg, he did not know one article of medicine, nor the treatment of one disease, when he published the following quack bill:
He tells every person, by his uncommon knowledge of urine, not only their diseases, but likewise how to cure them."
The first two patients he had were, one with the itch, and the other with a cough; and he was obliged to place them in another room, till he could receive a message from his master how to proceed. It would have hence been a remuneration which gratitude demanded, independently of written documents, to have relieved the widow; which, however, he absolutely refused, at a time when it was said that his income was at least five thousand pounds a year.
Let it, however, be recorded to Dr. Mayersbach's honour, that in 1773, when he lived in Rupert-street, Goodman's Fields, his wife, after a tedious illness, which proved fatal, has been attended by Johann Toennius, apothecary in Mansell-street; and, on application to Mayersbach in 1776, he faithfully discharged the expence of attendance which her illness had occasioned. As Mayersbach was totally ignorant of medicines, certain pills, powders, and drops, with directions to give them, under certain circumstances, were sent to him; and these he administered discretionally. As he got a little more fledged, he attempted a loftier flight, and even ventured to handle edged tools; but, in consequence of their indiscriminate use, many serious effects succeeded, which were formally communicated to a board of the Royal College of Physicians, when it was archly observed by one of the board, that the charges merited investigation in the criminal courts of law; and thus the business ended with a laugh at the gentleman who prsented these charges, for his ignorance in imagining that the College of Physicians ever did a wise act; or, in any instance, ever promoted medical science.
Mayersbach's reputation continued for some months in the most elevated degree. As a water doctor in the metropolis must be supposed to know more than the water doctor in the country, the devotees to deception flocked to town, or sent up their vials by the stages, and the urinary traffic of the country was transferred to London; and thus the German Impostor, who, a few months before could not cure the itch, monopolized the most lucrative professional business in Europe. Among his patients he could claim a Harrington, a Hawke, and even a Garrick.
There was, however, a physician in London hardy enough to attack this popular empiric; and, by his spirited exertions, the delusion was so effectually removed as to induce the impostor to quit London, and revisit his native continent. In less than twelve months he returned, and was again as much followed as previously to his emigration. The physician who had taken so active a part against the empiric, was dissatisfied with the conduct of the College; he was likewise insulted by a numerous herd of anonymous writers in the public prints; and having become the object of their envy, he avoided further interference; and, with the death of Mayersbach, this species of deception has, in a great measure, lost its influence in London, and new models of deception have been practiced by a new race of German empirics; at the head of which may be placed Dr. Lambert, and his celebrated pupil Dr. Brodum, who will be introduced into the valuable pages of your journal, in the subsequent letter.
In reflecting upon the various transitions experienced by Dr. Mayersbach in his professional character, it is remarkable enough, that several popular characters, after having suddenly lost their reputation, or, from the caprices of fashion, lost their professional employment, have retired a few months; returned after a period of absence to the metropolis, and regained their former practice. Sir Richard Jebb told me, and he had the information from Sir Edward Wilmot, Bart. himself, that two ladies of fashion, near the Court, died under his care (Sir Edward's) at the same period, which was so buzzed about amongst the circles of fashion, as to turn the tide so adversely against him, which had long and deservedly flowed in favour of Sir Edward, that from three thousand pounds a year, his professional income sunk to three hundred. This induced him to take a tour on the continent, from which he returned the next year, and as suddenly regained his former professional employment. This respectable physician retired into Dorsetshire in an advanced age, and died a few years ago, aet. 93. A little before this time, I had a letter from him, written in a good hand, and with great perspicicuity; and which is now in the possession of
IETROS
London, July 23, 1804
Source: Welcome Library - LON/3(3)
Source: The London Medical and Physical Journal, Volume 12, Page 212