Why did people distrust doctors during the 18th and 19th conturies?

During the 18th and 19th centuries, people often distrusted doctors due to a lack of scientific understanding and the prevalence of ineffective or harmful treatments, such as bloodletting and the use of Mercury. The medical profession was not yet standardized, and many practitioners lacked formal training or credentials, leading to skepticism about their expertise. Additionally, high mortality rates and the inability to effectively treat diseases contributed to public doubt regarding medical efficacy and the motives of practitioners. This distrust was further exacerbated by the rise of alternative medicine and folk remedies, which provided a sense of agency to individuals seeking health care.