By John Panella and Joe Widman
LET’S LOOK AT A FEW KILLERS The era of patent medicines really blossomed after the Civil War and continued as a major mode of self-treatment until the early 1900s. It was a period when the art of medicine was very primitive. The nation and the world were full of quack doctors plying their trade with little or no training, using blood purifiers and strong purgatives, as well as alcohol, chloral, cannabis, chloroform, coca leaves, cocaine, ether, camphor, opium, mercury, even gold and silver derivatives. The use of deadly poisons was less concerning to the doctor, chemist and patent medicine company then the effect of the nostrum. Effective and intoxicating drugs were in vogue to relieve symptoms and keep the taker coming back for more. Hell yes, it cured sometimes via psychotropic effects rather than anything else. When the cure/tonic/killer wore off the malady usually returned with a vengeance and the taker was crying for more. Basic positive economic gain for the maker and a temporary but invigorating feel good cure for the taker, a win-win situation. But was it really?
The Promises Many people turned their trust to patent medicines recommended by friends, local grocers and pharmacists. The medicinal value of these substances was “proven” by word of mouth and an abundance of TOP RIGHT: An image of a notorious "Joy to the World" trade card put out by Perry Davis. BOTTOM RIGHT: Detailed label from a 24 bottle wooden crate of Pain-Killer. FOLLOWING PAGE: TOP ROW: A cute Pain Killer trade card featuring a young boy and girl; A portrait of Perry Davis. BOTTOM ROW: A beautiful label on large size wooden crate; The author's patent medicine display, including four Perry Davis box crates.
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