Page Woodcock's Wind Pills

Spherical Balloon from The New Student's Reference Work 1914 

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.

6 thoughts on “Page Woodcock's Wind Pills

  1. Page Dewing Woodcock was my 2 x greatgrandfather. His son Page Hornor Woodcock 1855 -1934 marketed the pills in the USA at the time when Heinz beans first came on the scene and he, PHW became a $ millionaire! He bought 5 streets of houses in Wembley and wrote childrens books in his later years. He was agreat methodist and a philanthropist.
    Another of PDW’s sons William Henry Woodcock 1856- ? and his 5 children including a Page Woodcock settled in Seattle in the late 1890s. He and his wife Mary were bith druggists. I wonder iof they sold the pills in the USA?
    Let me know if you have any more info.
    Ray Woodcock

    1. Hello Ray
      There was another Page Dewing Woodcock born in 1884 in Lincoln son of Charles and Sarah Woodcock, do you know anything about him.

      Chris Woodcock

      1. Hi Chris,
        I know qiute a lot about him. Sorry but I have not looked at this site for a long time. I should like to know about your ancestors too. I wonder if we are related. Please get in touch.
        Best wishes
        Ray
        13 Jan 2015

  2. Hi Ray,

    That’s really interesting! If I find out anything about the pills in Seattle I will definitely let you know.

    Caroline

  3. I just happen to be here because I’m watching “The African Queen.” Robert Morley has what appears to be a a religious newspaper and it has an ad on one page that says, “PAGE WOODCOCK’S WIND PILLS, A WESLEYAN.” The scene is seven minutes into the film.

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