John Colbatch (apothecary)

John Colbatch (c. 1669 – 1729) was a British apothecary and controversialist, known for his Quackery Unmasked and other writings on medicine and public health.

Born in or near Kinsham, Herefordshire, Colbatch studied at Westminster School before being admitted to Trinity College, Cambridge in 1686. He migrated to King's College, Cambridge in 1688 and graduated as a doctor of medicine in 1696. Though he acquired the title "Doctor," he primarily practiced as an apothecary, a common and less socially prestigious medical profession at the time.

Colbatch is most remembered for his outspoken criticisms of what he perceived as medical quackery and deceptive practices among some physicians and apothecaries. His most prominent work, Quackery Unmasked (1727), denounced fraudulent remedies and the exploitation of vulnerable patients. This publication, along with other pamphlets and essays, sparked significant debate and controversy within the medical community. He advocated for greater transparency and ethical conduct in the dispensing and prescribing of medicines.

Beyond his writings, Colbatch was actively involved in public health initiatives. He concerned himself with the quality and safety of drinking water, particularly in London, and proposed solutions for improving sanitation and preventing the spread of disease.

Colbatch died in October 1729 and was buried at St. Clement Danes in London. He remains a significant figure in the history of pharmacy and public health advocacy, remembered for his commitment to exposing medical fraud and promoting ethical standards in the practice of medicine during the early 18th century.