Patent Medicine

"Turtle's Elixir","Kickapoo Sagwa","Lydia E. Pinkham's Blood Purifier", "Atwood's Jaundice Bitters","Bee's Laxative Cough Syrup"--these are just a few of the labels on the 118 patent medicine bottles in this exhibit at the Museum. The colorful and varied collection of remedies and "cures" for everything from baldness to foot problems is a fascinating panorama of the nostrums inflicted on a gullible and unsuspecting public, particularly during the 19th century.

Originating in England as proprietary medicines manufactured under grants, or "patents of royal favor" from the King to those who provided medicine to the Royal Family, these medicines were exported to America in the 18th century. By the middle of the 19th century the manufacture of similar products had become a major industry in the USA, including several producers in New England. Often high in alcoholic content, the remedies were popular with those who found this ingredient to be therapeutic, and highly unpopular with the Temperance movements. The medical professions attacked the patent medicines as false-hope panaceas, often harmful.

With strong support of Theodore Roosevelt a Pure Food and Drug Act was passed by Congress in 1906, providing the foundation for public health action against quackery and rackets, of which many still continue today.

The Museum thanks Jack Bloom, D.D.S., for donating his patent medicine bottle collection, and for his work in preparing the current display.

Thanks also to Chet Kennedy, for his colorful and amusing reproduction of old advertisements for patent medicines.