The Quack Doctor

Balsam of Mecca was a prized substance in Arabian medicine and cosmetics, but it was very difficult to get hold of the real thing in Europe in the 19th century. The true balsam – a resin from the shrub then known as Balsamodendron Opobalsamum (now more commonly Commiphora gileadensis) – was rare, but an inferior form could be produced by boiling the young leaves. The Vital Regenerator might have contained this second type of balsam, but was quite possibly just a mixture of turpentine and aromatic oils.

THE OLD ARABIAN REMEDY.—The
VITAL REGENERATOR.—The Cordial Balsam of
Mecca is, without doubt, the most marvellous and the most
valuable remedy ever discovered. It is prepared from the
richest balsams of the East, and is, in fact, principally com-
posed of the famous balsam of Mecca, from the home of
medical lore—Arabia. It is highly aromatic, balsamic, and
invigorating in its qualities. It is the most wonderful
blood purifier known, and produces rich wholesome blood
when all other remedies fail. For the emigrant, for the
traveller, for all who have hard work or mental fatigue, it is
the one needful remedy. By its help climate may be defied
and health preserved to the latest period of life. But it is
principally in Nervous Debility and in constitutions worn
out by self-indulgence and disease that this life-giving medi-
cine has obtained its world-wide celebrity, and which renders
it an inestimable boon to suffering and erring humanity. In
these important and serious diseases, for which medical
advice so often proves without avail, the VITAL REGENE-
RATOR is a speedy, certain, and unfailing resource. Failure
is impossible. Taken regularly and for the prescribed period
of four weeks, a cure is certain. As water quenches thirst—
as oxygen purifies the blood—so does this medicine certainly
and immediately cure all nervous disease, debility, and
exhaustion.
                  Price 11s. and 33s. a bottle.
Sole agent for Liverpool, Mr. J. Woollard, bookseller, 54,
Castle-street; London, H. R. Hartnell, chemist, 7, Tichborne-
street, Haymarket; Manchester, Mottershead and Co.,
Market-place; Hull, W. Adams, bookseller, Market-place;
Newcastle, Procter and Son, 11, Grey-street; Glasgow
Love, bookseller, 15, Nelson-street, Trongate.

Source: The Liverpool Mercury, Monday 6th January 1868

I like this one because there’s a real sense of feminine solidarity. Mrs Smithers, possessor of knowledge passed down through the generations, sounds like a better bet than the mortifying prospect of consulting a male doctor.

TO LADIES.—THE ONLY GENUINE

WIDOW WELCH’S PILLS are those prepared by

MRS SMITHERS (Granddaughter to the WIDOW WELCH), from

the real Family Recipe, without the least variation what-

ever.

The Medicine is justly celebrated for all Female Com-

plaints, Nervous Disorders, Weakness of the Solids, Loss of

Appetite, Sick Headache, Lowness of Spirits, and particu-

larly for irregularities in the Female System. MRS SMITHERS

recommends Mothers, Guardians, Managers of Schools, and

all those who have the care of Females at an early age,

never to be without this useful Medicine.

IMPORTANT CAUTION.—The ONLY REAL PROPRIE-

TOR and Possessor of the Recipe, Granddaughter of the

late Widow Welch, feels it her duty, not only in defence of

her own and SOLE RIGHT, but as a protection to the public,

to declare HERSELF the ONLY PERSON entitled to the

Original Recipe, or at all authorised to make or prepare the

said medicine.

Observe that the genuine are wrapped in blue paper and

signed on the label by Mrs Smithers.

Sold in boxes at 2s 9d each, by Duncan, Flockhart, and

Co.; Robertson; Baildon; Lindsay & Shaw; Gardner and

Ainslie—Edinburgh. Dandie & Newby—Perth. And by

most respectable Chemists throughout the United Kingdom.

Source:  The Caledonian Mercury and Daily Express, (Edinburgh) Monday 2nd January 1860.