Victorian

Renovating Essence of Azilica

I have absolutely no idea what was in this medicine, so instead of a witty and/or informative comment, here is a picture of a fellow epitomising health and manly vigour. The image is from the Dictionnaire encyclopédique Trousset, published in Paris between 1886 and 1891, and is reproduced courtesy of Old Book Illustrations. […]

Laffere's Worm Powders

I’ve been looking forward to this one. It’s the most disgusting advert I’ve posted so far. DO NOT read it if you are eating. WORMS! WORMS! WORMS! LAFFERE’S WORM POWDERS are the best remedy for worms; they effect a certain cure, are tasteless, and at the same time are perfectly harmless. As a […]

Lockyer's Sulphur Hair Restorer

(Image: Brunette Combing her Hair. James Carroll Beckwith, 1851) We continue the hair theme today with the pungent-sounding Lockyer’s Sulphur Hair Restorer. This preparation was scrutinised in 1912 by the British Medical Association in More Secret Remedies: What they cost and what they contain. Analysis showed that it comprised: Precipitated Sulphur…..1.3 parts Lead acetate……………..1.6 parts Lead […]

Edwards' Instantaneous American Harlene

(Image: Tempus Edax Rerum, by John Leech. Punch, 1852. Courtesy of the John Leech Sketch Archive.) The advert below has a wonderfully tabloid feel to it, reflecting the sensationalist publication that carried it. The Illustrated Police News featured shocking accounts of true crime stories, and its advertising tended to be towards the seedier end of the spectrum. While the […]

Rees's Compound Essence

I decided against searching for a picture to go with this one… REES’S COMPOUND ESSENCE has proved in all cases the most safe and efficacious remedy ever discovered for the removal of strictures without the use of a bougie, as well as a speedy and certain cure for all discharges, gleets, whites, seminal weakness, irritation […]

Cupiss's Constitution Horse Balls

As a horse owner, I can make an educated guess that this medicine was no worse than a lot of the crappy potions and supplements available at extortionate prices in modern feed stores. CUPISS’s CONSTITUTION HORSE-BALLS. To Sportsmen, Agriculturalists, Postmasters, and all Pro- prietors of Horses, these Balls are particularly recommended in all […]

Self-Adjusting Curative and Electric Belt

ELECTRICITY IS LIFE. HEALTH AND MANHOOD RESTORED (WITHOUT MEDICINE.) CURE YOURSELF by the PATENT SELF- ADJUSTING CURATIVE AND ELECTRIC BELT. Sufferers from Nervous debility, Painful Dreams Mental and Physical Depression, Palpitation of the Heart, Noises in the Head and Ears, Indecision, Im- paired sight and memory, Indigestion, Prostration, Lassitude, Depression of […]

Mrs. Winslow's Soothing Syrup

Originating in New York in the 1840s, Mrs. Winslow’s Soothing Syrup was a dangerous concoction. Parents often did not realise that it contained morphine, and sadly, as the American Medical Times put it in 1860, were “relieved of all further care of their infants” through its use. ADVICE TO MOTHERS!—Are you broken […]

Barclay's Dr. Bateman's Pectoral Drops

Bateman’s Drops had been around since the 1720s and were prepared by various suppliers, hence the specification that these were Barclay’s Bateman’s Drops rather than anyone else’s. The main ingredients were aniseed, camphor and opium, so the drops would have at least a temporary effect and could be rather dangerous if swigged indiscriminately. Different suppliers […]

May's Celebrated Love Lozenges

This advert doesn’t specify whether you have to take the lozenges yourself in order to exert a magnetic influence on the object of your affections, or whether you’re supposed to give him or her one (a lozenge, that is) under the pretence that it’s a delicious bon-bon. But in either case, who could resist ordering the “extra-strong” version? […]