Medicine show

Encyclopedia : M : ME : MED : Medicine show

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A medicine show is a traveling horse and buggy team, most common in 19th century United States, which peddles miracle medications and other products between various entertainment acts. The most common product associated with medicine shows is an elixir which is touted to cure diseases, smooth facial wrinkles, remove stains in clothing, prolong life, or solve any number of common ailments (also known as snake oil). Entertainment often includes a freak show, a flea circus, musical acts, magic tricks, jokes, and storytelling.

Several modern musical acts have named themselves after this old time phenomenon, including Old Crow Medicine Show, Snake Oil Medicine Show, and Dr. Hook & The Medicine Show, and it lent its name to Big Audio Dynamite's track "Medicine Show" and The Band's "W.S. Walcott Medicine Show".

In addition, science fiction author Orson Scott Card has entitled his online science fiction journal the InterGalactic Medicine Show.

See also

• Dog and pony show

 

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