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Author Topic: Cures everything from cold to bald  (Read 6532 times)

Offline Qball

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Cures everything from cold to bald
« on: August 25, 2006, 02:56:12 AM »
I'm lookin' for some information (labels) on bottles that was sold as universal cures to everything.
Have seen it in movies and the seller usualy ends up rolling in tar and feathers ;D
Don't know what it's called so i can't google it.
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Offline Big Hext

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Re: Cures everything from cold to bald
« Reply #1 on: August 25, 2006, 07:43:40 AM »
Howdy!

The universal name for a cure all or patent medicine is "snake oil."
Here's one example I found... I'm sure you can google up some more.

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Re: Cures everything from cold to bald
« Reply #2 on: August 25, 2006, 08:42:34 AM »
Castor oil.  ;D There was also stuff called "nerve tonic".

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Re: Cures everything from cold to bald
« Reply #3 on: Today at 12:30:17 PM »
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Offline Delmonico

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Re: Cures everything from cold to bald
« Reply #3 on: August 25, 2006, 09:20:10 AM »
There were hundreds of such stuff concocted up in the period that were claimed as cure alls for everything.  They ranged from harmless to dangerous depending on what was in them.  Some did have medicinal value, but it was hard to sort them out.

Three that I can think off off hand are still being sold today, but without the medicinal claims, what are these?  Why Coca-Cola, Hires Root Beer and Dr. Pepper. ;)
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Offline Forty Rod

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Re: Cures everything from cold to bald
« Reply #4 on: August 25, 2006, 09:43:25 AM »
That would be Dr. Forty Rod's Home Grown Root Injection. 

It Is Guaranteed To Cure The Roup, The Croup, The Pip, The Poop, The Piles, And The Palsy.
It Tastes Wonderful Over Ice Cream Or On Fish, Tenderizes The Toughest Meat, Prevents Baldness, Makes Hens Lay Larger Eggs, Corrects Your Spelling, Straightens Curly Hair, Kills Ants And Spiders, And Removes Freckles. 

It  Will Snap Your Suspenders, Lube Your Chassis, Crack Your Glass Eye Right Across The Middle, And Make Child-Bearing A Pleasure.

Only Forty Nine Cents A Bottle Or Two For A Dollar.
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Offline Qball

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Re: Cures everything from cold to bald
« Reply #5 on: August 25, 2006, 12:02:36 PM »
Man that was fast.
Thank you all for the info
and Forty Rod, i'll take three cases ;)
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Offline Goatlips

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Re: Cures everything from cold to bald
« Reply #6 on: August 25, 2006, 11:34:32 PM »
Quote from: Qball on August 25, 2006, 02:56:12 AM
I'm lookin' for some information (labels) on bottles that was sold as universal cures to everything.

Ain't that..... Ballistol?

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Offline Three Legged Pete

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Re: Cures everything from cold to bald
« Reply #7 on: August 26, 2006, 11:15:00 AM »
From what I've read a lot of the old patent "cure alls" contained spirits of opium and other drugs.  Since there were no drug laws in the U.S. until after the turn of the 20th century this was perfectly legal.  According to a show I saw on the History Channel at one time you could even order syringes pre-loaded with heroin from Sears, Roebuck & Co.!  I don't know how prevalent drugs (other than Old Rot Gut) were in the old west, but since it was all legal, I doubt those so inclined had much trouble getting what they wanted.
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Offline Delmonico

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Re: Cures everything from cold to bald
« Reply #8 on: August 26, 2006, 11:19:14 AM »
Drug addition was very high, most likey at a much higher per capita than at any other time in history.
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The time has passed so quick, the years all run together now.

Offline Doc Neeley

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Re: Cures everything from cold to bald
« Reply #9 on: August 26, 2006, 11:38:46 AM »
One very common one was Dr. Kilmers Swamp Root-Kidney, liver, and bladder remedy.
At one time he was the largest company in Binghamton, NY. I have 2 of his bottles and keep brandy in one. I love popping the cork and taking a nip from the old bottle when strangers cone to visit. Or my in-laws. :)
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Offline Forty Rod

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Re: Cures everything from cold to bald
« Reply #10 on: August 26, 2006, 11:41:05 AM »
Careful Qball.  That stuff is 81.635% alcohol and not only is it flamable, but it will explode if dropped.
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Offline Qball

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Re: Cures everything from cold to bald
« Reply #11 on: August 26, 2006, 01:09:19 PM »
Well now that's just what i was lookin' for Forty Rod
Wunder how i'll slip it trough customs ::)
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Re: Cures everything from cold to bald
« Reply #12 on: September 01, 2006, 03:10:35 PM »
Quote from: Doc Neeley on August 26, 2006, 11:38:46 AM
One very common one was Dr. Kilmers Swamp Root-Kidney, liver, and bladder remedy.
At one time he was the largest company in Binghamton, NY. I have 2 of his bottles and keep brandy in one. I love popping the cork and taking a nip from the old bottle when strangers cone to visit. Or my in-laws. :)
Guess what I came across in a Jan. 1893 paper?  ;D

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Offline Forty Rod

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Re: Cures everything from cold to bald
« Reply #13 on: September 01, 2006, 06:20:59 PM »
Cumberland General Store in Crossville, TN and River Junction Trade Company carry a lot of patent medicines in legal form, and I have a book called The Historical Supply Catalogue by Alan Wellicoff (Rough Hewn Books, Baltimore, MD, 1993) that has a bunch of pages of currently (1993) produced stuff just like you're looking for.  Might check Dixie gun Works and the Vermont General Store as well, and there's always Watkins Products.

Lots of this stuff would add "atmosphere" to your gather at any match.
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Offline Forty Rod

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Re: Cures everything from cold to bald
« Reply #14 on: September 01, 2006, 06:28:15 PM »
Three more places to provide atmosphere are

Jack and Friends
Inspirations of the Past
Victor Trading Company

Do a search for hem, sit back and enjoy.
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Offline Qball

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Re: Cures everything from cold to bald
« Reply #15 on: September 02, 2006, 03:08:02 PM »
Thank you
Now i have many great ideas and i'll see what the PC printer can do.
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