Page Woodcock's Wind Pills
Page Woodcock’s Wind Pills were well-known throughout the second half of the 19th century and into the 20th. Born in Norwich and spending most of his life either there or in Lincoln, Woodcock (1820-1889) had a successful business as a chemist. He was a Methodist, and came under satirical fire from Punch in 1853 for placing long sermonising advertisements that concluded with a brazen plug for his Pills rather than with any spiritual consolation. This advert, however, is nice and short.
“NEVER TOO LATE TO MEND,”—Pro-
crastination with many is the besetting sin. Every-
thing is put off till “to-morrow.” The torpid liver is unheeded
until jaundice, consumption, or abscess of the liver becomes
established. These maladies are curable if taken in time by
that fine tonic and alterative medicine, Page Woodcock’s
Wind Pills. Thousands are taking them for almost every
complaint, and are being cured. “It’s never too late to
mend.” Of all Chemists, at 1s 1½d and 2s 9d.
Source: The Glasgow Herald, Wednesday 7th January 1880
Well, I would venture to suggest that there comes a point when it is too late, but otherwise one would be wise to heed the advice not to ignore the state of one’s liver until “to-morrow.” Don’t say I didn’t warn you.
For an example of a full-colour advertising poster for Page Woodcock’s Wind Pills, have a look at The History of Advertising Trust’s 1880s image.
Tags: 1880s, history of medicine, procrastination, quack remedies
Categories:
Digestive System, Liver