The esteemed reputation of the colleges at Oxford and Cambridge, which provided graduates with advanced medical education, did not prevent the rise of quackery. Many people believed that since medical practice involved administering numerous medications, they might benefit even more from taking additional drugs, especially if they were affordable. This led to the widespread use of potentially harmful remedies from unscrupulous individuals lacking proper qualifications.

As a result, the public's trust in medicine became problematic, as they often chose to follow the misleading practices of unqualified practitioners. The situation highlights the dangers of blindly accepting the medical practices of the time, regardless of their source, emphasizing the need for discernment in matters of health and well-being.