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A groundbreaking study by researchers at Brighton and Sussex Medical School and the Royal Sussex County Hospital sheds light on the overlooked contributions of Francis Hauksbee the Younger, an 18th-century instrument maker and lecturer, to the development of clinical trials. In a newly published paper, “Experimentum Crucis: Hauksbee the Younger’s ‘Decisive Experiment’ for Comparing the ‘Safety and Efficacy’ of New Medicines (1743),” Hauksbee is credited with proposing one of the earliest documented frameworks for a controlled medical trial.
The analysis, published in Notes and Records: The Royal Society Journal of the History of Science, highlights Hauksbee’s 1743 pamphlet, A Further Account of the Effects of Mr. Hauksbee’s Alterative Medicine, where he laid out a plan to test his medication for venereal disease against conventional treatments.
Hauksbee proposed selecting 12 patients, evenly split between his treatment group and a control group receiving standard mercury-based remedies, then notorious for their debilitating side effects. His protocol emphasized controlling variables such as diet and living conditions, obtaining patient consent, and inviting independent observers to verify outcomes. He even insisted on publishing the results transparently, regardless of their favorability.
A Radical Idea in a Chaotic Era
The 18th century was a time when medicine often strayed into dangerous pseudoscience. Mercury, arsenic, and other toxic substances were common ingredients in treatments, and medical claims were frequently advertised through unverifiable testimonials. Against this backdrop, Hauksbee’s systematic approach was a significant departure.
While physicians of the era dismissed Hauksbee as a “quack,” he argued for impartiality and scientific rigor. “I shall not desire the Publick to stand up for this Medicine any longer than it will stand up for itself,” he wrote, emphasizing unbiased evaluation.
Hauksbee’s vision, however, was ahead of its time. There is no evidence his trial was ever conducted. Accusations of quackery and his lack of medical credentials likely deterred collaboration from London’s medical community. Despite being an accomplished lecturer in mathematics, anatomy, and chemistry, Hauksbee was not a physician—a distinction critical in the 18th century.
A Forerunner to Modern Trials
Hauksbee’s proposed methods predate James Lind’s famous 1747 scurvy trial, often considered the first modern clinical trial. Lind’s study compared six treatments for scurvy among 12 sailors under controlled conditions. Researchers in the current study note striking similarities between Hauksbee’s framework and Lind’s methodology, from patient grouping to transparency in publishing results.
“Hauksbee was an early advocate for principles that now define evidence-based medicine,” the authors write, praising his systematic approach to addressing treatment efficacy and patient safety.
A Legacy Rekindled
While Hauksbee’s trial was never realized and his treatment unlikely to have been curative, his pamphlet represents a remarkable intellectual leap toward the scientific evaluation of medical treatments. His emphasis on consent, oversight, and unbiased reporting resonates with the principles underpinning modern clinical trials.
The study authors hope their work helps elevate Hauksbee from obscurity, recognizing his role in the evolution of clinical testing.
Disclaimer
This article is for informational purposes only. It does not constitute medical advice, endorsement, or critique of historical practices. The treatments described were untested and unverified by modern scientific standards. For accurate health guidance, consult a qualified medical professional.
Reference:
Max Cooper et al., ‘Experimentum Crucis’: Hauksbee the Younger’s ‘Decisive Experiment’ for Comparing the ‘Safety and Efficacy’ of New Medicines (1743), Notes and Records: The Royal Society Journal of the History of Science (2025). DOI: 10.1098/rsnr.2024.0033
