Victorian

Empress Josephine Face Bleach

In a testimonial included in another Empress Josephine Toilet Co. advert, “Mrs Jos. C. Morton” wrote: Some years ago I ruined my skin and complexion by the use of worthless face powders. Pimples would raise up in large lumps all over my face. They oft times resembled more closely a boil than a pimple. Modesty […]

Pigeon Milk, the Gentleman's Friend

. PIGEON MILK THE GENTLEMAN’S FRIEND Fits vest pocket (no liquid). Does not stain. Stricture impossible. Cures Gonorrhea and Gleet in 1 to 4 days. A safe, sure cure. Mailed (sealed) to any address for $1. Ask druggists or write, RUST MEDICAL COMPANY, DETROIT, MICH. Source: Sandusky Daily Register (Ohio) 1 April 1891 (sorry about […]

Ludlam's Electric Rubber

Source: The Medical Directory for Scotland, 1853 (click to enlarge ad or see transcript below.) This product was reviewed by The London Lancet, (vol.1 1851) which heartily endorsed it as a way of creating rapid and healthy circulation of the blood on the surface after bathing. “Rubber” here means something to be used for rubbing, […]

Pure and Healthy Leeches

Pure and Healthy Leeches.—Potter and HAILEY beg to assure the Profession, Druggists, &c., that the Leeches they offer are such as can be recommended for Purity, Health, and Readiness of Biting. POTTER AND HAILEY, Importers of Leeches and Turkey Sponge, Herbalists, &c., 66, Farringdon-market, London. Source: The Medical Times and Gazette, 3 […]

Bailey's Light Spinal Stays and Invisible Crutches

Source: The Era (London) Sunday 23 October 1853 Bailey was a respectable supplier of “every description of Anatomical, Dissecting, Amputating and Post-Mortem instruments” as well as trusses, support stockings, ear trumpets, railway conveniences (male and female), water beds and chest expanders. His adverts appeared in distinguished publications such as the Lancet as well as in […]

Ambition Pills

At first glance I thought this showed pictures of three men, but no – it’s the same fellow, transformed from the seedy old roué on the left into a fine specimen of manly vigour, ambitious to take on the world and all its laydees. The perkiness of a chap’s moustache was a good indicator of […]

Albert's Grasshopper Ointment

Grasshopper Ointment was registered in 1874 and the name was trademarked in 1884. It was still listed in Martindale’s Extra Pharmacopoeia in 1989, where the ingredients were given as rosin, yellow beeswax, larch oleoresin, arachis oil, white soft paraffin and copper acetate – but no grasshoppers. The copper would have given it a green tint […]

Dr MacKenzie’s Improved Harmless Arsenic Complexion Wafers

‘Dr MacKenzie’ was one of several brand names attached to arsenic products – similar ‘wafers’ (pills) were sold under the names Dr Simms, Dr Rose and Dr Campbell. The wafers made the skin fashionably pale by destroying red blood cells. Although it was possible to build up a tolerance for arsenic by taking regular small amounts, it […]

Eno’s Fruit Salt

Invented in the 1850s by James Crossley Eno of Newcastle, the Fruit Salt sold like hotcakes to sailors looking for something to keep them healthy on long journeys. The product is still available today – now manufactured by GlaxoSmithKline, it sells in vast quantities worldwide and is a popular ingredient in Indian cookery. It contains […]

Atkinson's Registered Rectum Supporter

The pic is a bit small so I’ve transcribed the text anyway, but you can probably get the idea how this contraption was worn. The white circular bit in the centre of the picture was a smooth piece of ivory designed to fit where the sun don’t shine. The inventor, Benjamin Atkinson, manufactured a variety of surgical mechanisms, such […]