Isaac Swainson

Isaac Swainson (1746–1812) was famous for his botanical garden, which was largely funded from the profits of a herbal remedy for venereal disease.

A biography has been recently produced [2] Swainson moved to London where he served as assistant to a Dr. Mercier in Frith Street, Soho, where he settled.

This was one of many cures for venereal diseases based on plants rather than mercury, which is toxic.

[3] In addition to curing venereal diseases, including "the pox" and the "French disease", it was claimed to cure leprosy, gout, scrophula, dropsy, small pox, consumption, tape worms, cancer, scurvy, and diarrhea[4] Swainson also studied the conventional medicine of the era and gained an MD in 1785.

[3] Swainson, who was less noted for botany, is honoured by the genus name Swainsona, which is now known as the emblem of South Australia.