Comments on: Dr Lowther's Powders and Drops

By: Noel Sprenger

Noel Sprenger — Fri, 20 Nov 2009 00:24:28 +0000

Hi Caroline, It worked! Many thanks for your assistance

By: Caroline Rance

Caroline Rance — Thu, 19 Nov 2009 13:34:48 +0000

Oh, good – the link does work.

By: Caroline Rance

Caroline Rance — Thu, 19 Nov 2009 13:33:51 +0000

Hi Noel, it’s 28 June-2 July 1757, issue number 9700, page 5. Here’s a link (not sure if this will work in the comments – you might have to paste it into your browser): http://www.london-gazette.co.uk/issues/9700/pages/5

By: Noel Sprenger

Noel Sprenger — Thu, 19 Nov 2009 06:55:45 +0000

Hi Coroline, I am completing a PhD at the University of Queensland, Australia concerning patent medicines. I have been searching for the correct citation for “Tremblings, Faintings, Swoonings, Sick Qualms, Reachings, Loathings, lost Appetites, bad Digestion, weak Nerves, Flutterings, Palpitations, Anxieties, confused Thoughts, Lethargies, dull melancholic Dispositions, Vapours, low Spirits, Restlessness, Weariness, Frightful Dreams, Pains in the Head and Stomach, Vertigo’s, Swimings, Giddiness, Dizziness, Dimness, Flushings, the Cramp, Contractions, sudden Catchings, Obstructions, disorders incident to the Fair Sex, and, in fine, the whole train of Fits, Nervous and Paralitic Complaints.”
I have been to the London Gazette website and can only find one ad on 17 June 1755 which is not this one. Can you advise where you found the above if on a different date?
Noel

By: Caroline Rance

Caroline Rance — Sat, 07 Nov 2009 12:29:13 +0000

Hi Terence, I’m afraid I don’t know what they were made of, but I suspect that the typeface is unclear and that it says ‘Antiscorbutic’. Lowther sold an antiscorbutic powder, initially in partnership with one Dr Rayment, from about 1760. They claimed the powders were effective against leprosy as well as scurvy – does it say something like this in your ad?

By: Terence

Terence — Sat, 07 Nov 2009 11:39:36 +0000

Dr Lowther advertised his “Tiscorrutic powder”
in the second edition of the Hampshire Chronicle in 1772. Please, does anyone know what was in the powder?

By: Caroline Rance

Caroline Rance — Sat, 31 Oct 2009 16:41:15 +0000

Me too! Don’t know if I could afford them at a hefty 6 shillings though.

By: Will

Will — Sat, 31 Oct 2009 16:19:57 +0000

I often suffer from confused thoughts, perhaps I should find myself some of the good Dr’s powders.

By: Caroline Rance

Caroline Rance — Sat, 31 Oct 2009 14:23:07 +0000

I suppose we should be thankful that he was only letting rip from the top end of his digestive system.

By: Lidian

Lidian — Sat, 31 Oct 2009 13:53:28 +0000

Mr. Elias Groves of Clapham was not in the least bit restrained, it would seem.