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It’s About Time What’s Ailing You? (Part Patent Medicines Written by Susan Parsons Advertisement for a patent medicine in an 1890’s Fair Haven Register ---PAGE BREAK--- Patent medicines often had “colorful names” and” colorful claims” (Hagley Museum, Wilmington Delaware). Many makers brewed the concoctions at home and claimed they had patented those concoctions. Often these potions were made of vegetable juice and large amounts of alcohol. Others contained cocaine, morphine and/or opium. Parents who gave their babies this stuff that was advertised for colic or fussiness sometimes experienced the tragedy of losing those babies. The claims made on these medicines were that they could prevent or cure almost any ailment known to humankind, such as tuberculosis, venereal disease, cancer, indigestion, “female complaints” and “male complaints.” These formulations could restore manhood, cure baldness, stop nervousness, and end deafness. Label on patent medicine for toothaches, courtesy, CUNY In 1793 Congress passed patent laws allowing manufacturers to protect themselves from counterfeiters so these so-called medicines were referred to as “patent medicines.” Since many of the ingredients among manufacturers were the same-- vegetable extracts, alcohol and narcotics, the larger manufacturers patented the labels or bottles instead of the common ingredients. Thus, the manufacturers were patenting the trademarks, not the medicines. In the era when little understanding of biology existed and because many illnesses cure themselves with a little time, people came to believe that these patent medicines had a high rate of success in curing their illnesses. The grandfather of Fair Haven resident Erwin Fineout (1916-2001) was a traveling patent medicine man who created his own medicines. He used various evergreen ---PAGE BREAK--- oils, (for example hemlock and cedar), herbs (rosemary and dandelion), and chemicals (sulphur and iodides) among many other ingredients (such as skunk grease) to make his cures. Whiskey was a major ingredient for internal maladies. He traveled by horse and buggy (or a sleigh in winter) throughout a wide territory delivering his goods. Among his most frequent visits requests from those people who greatly desired his alcohol filled medicine for “internal problems.” Patent medicine sellers pioneered many advertising techniques; they used primitive “branding” to distinguish their product from all others. The advertising was very enticing. The promises made lured many into buying such products. The Register (Fair Haven), published by Will E. Bennett, July 3, 1890, contained the following advertisement: “F.E.C. Kidney, Blood and Liver Remedy-$1 per bottle, 6 for the ad explained that “a hen is a hen and not a chicky, [so] things should be called by their right names. The many deaths from (K)idney disorders are kept from public attention because physicians state that death results from rheumatism, Heart Failure, (illegible), sometimes consumption, General Debility, etc. In fact, Kidney disease has low of its Own.” Advertisement for Syrup Pepsin, which claimed to cure a variety of illnesses, courtesy CUNY ---PAGE BREAK--- Another advertisement in the same paper states, “Dr. Harter’s Little Liver Pills (trademark) do not (illegible) sicken or constipate.” Another ad sells a medicine: “For Men Only. Vigor and Strength. For lost or failing manhood, general and nervous debility.” An ad in the August 7, 1890 Register, again advertising the F.E.C. Kidney, Blood, and Liver Remedy stated that “16% Rejected [for life insurance] because of Kidney disease and alcohol always unsuspected. If you want to put yourself in (illegible) condition for Life Insurance Examination, (illegible) yourself through treatment with half a dozen bottles of the guaranteed Vegetable Standard.” Another ad from the same paper reads: “Fits Stopped Free. Dr. Kline’s Great Nerve Restorer.” The Register, Jan. 22, 1891 contains the following ad: “Ayer’s Cherry Pectoral--cures cough, colds, hoarseness, typhoid pneumonia. This remedy, with ordinary care has worked such a MAGICAL EFFECT that I have suffered very little inconvenience.” Another Fair Haven Register whose date is not available had the following ads: “Radway’s Ready Relief liquid The cheapest and best medicine for family use. Cures and prevents colds, coughs, sore throat, Inflammation, Rheumatism, Neuralgia, headache, Toothache, Asthma and difficult breathing. Cramps, spasms, sour stomach, nauson, (sic) Vomiting, heartburn, Nervousness, sleeplessness, sick headache, diarrhea, colic, flatulency and all internal pain. 50 cents per bottle.” The same company advertised another patent medicine in the same paper: “Radway’s Pills. An excellent and mild narcotic. Purely vegetable. The safest and best medicine in the world for all disorders of the Liver, Stomach or Bowels. Taken according to directions they will restore health and renew vitality. Price 25 cents a box.” ---PAGE BREAK--- Patent Medicine advertisement in Fair Haven Register circa 1900 “The Great American Fraud,” a series written for Colliers Magazine in the late 1800’s by Samuel Hopkins Adams, a muckraker, exposed some of the evils of such patent medicines. For example, the Bayer Company (Germany) exported heroin as a substitute for addictive morphine. It was said to treat “children with a strong cough.” A mixture of opium and 46% alcohol was sold for newborns. Adams pointed out that if this mixture did not kill the baby, it would become “an addict.” Cocaine tablets were advertised and sold for actors, teachers and preachers for a “smooth voice.” ---PAGE BREAK--- From the Fair Haven Register, circa 1900 By the end of the 19th century, the temperance movement became involved. It criticized the alcohol content of medications. Americans began to demand lists of ---PAGE BREAK--- ingredients listed on packaging as well as realistic advertising. But, manufacturers fought against it. Under President Theodore Roosevelt, the Pure Food and Drug Act, passed in 1906, paved the way for reforms against such things as mislabeling, false advertising and quackery. Early ad for Coca Cola; early formulations used Kola nuts containing caffeine and Coca leaves containing cocaine. Some patent medicines are still marketed today, though the ingredients have changed as have the touted benefits. Bromo-Selzer, Geritol, Phillips Milk of Magnesia, Ludens Cough Drops, Doan’s Pills, Carters Pills, Ex-Lax, and Lydia Pinkham’s Vegetable Compound are some examples. Finally, other products are still sold but are no longer advertised as medicines such as Coca-Cola, tonic water, Moxie soda, Hires Root Beer, angostura bitters and Dr. Pepper. Sources: ---PAGE BREAK--- Fair Haven Register Colliers Magazine wikipedia.com Hagley Museum Ages, Stages and Homages by Erwin Fineout