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This work by a Swiss journalist is an account of the fascinating group of charlatans who in medieval and modern times gained wide following and often exalted position in Europe and America. The
author attempts an inquiry into the sources of the power the charlatan exerts over his dupes, the techniques he utilizes, the nature of the submissiveness of the dupe, the relationship of the cultural period to charlatanism, and the peculiar difficulties encountered in combating the charlatan through rational explanation and logical exposure of his duplicity.
The word 'charlatan' is itself a dubious term but the many definitions reviewed by the author have in common an emphasis upon use of language to confuse and deceive; the noun ciarla means empty garrulity. Primarily the term is associated with the quack who 'sells salves or other drugs in public places, pulls teeth and exhibits tricks of legerdemain', but it is pointed out that 'every class has its charlatans'. The charlatan is boastful, daring, unscrupulous in deceiving and exploiting others and above all intolerant of true science, 'the power most hostile to his influence'.
The power of the charlatan cannot be understood without considering his victims and the historic situation. Charlatans were most triumphant during those periods in which the development of science was such as to arouse interest in exciting problems imperfectly understood. Ignorance and confusion offer the charlatan his opportunity, and the Renaissance, when all science was mysterious and chemistry was just emerging from alchemy and astronomy from astrology, provided the most felicitous setting for him. Later during the eighteenth century when a new technology was developing the charlatan again found a fruitful field in exploiting the interest in new and bewildering technological marvels.
The charlatan learned that 'transmutation is the password to the hearts of men'. By opening a possibility for men to believe what they want to believe, the cha