STEEDMAN’S SOOTHING POWDERS.
The powders, “with two e’s,” are stated to be prepared in the south of London, and are sold in packets, price 1s. 1½d. and 2s. 9d. per packet; the 2s. 9d. packet contained twenty-four powders.
In a circular enclosed in the packet it is stated that:
The good effects of these Powders during the period of Teething have now had Fifty Years’ Experience, during which time Thousands of children have been relieved annually from all those distressing symptoms which children suffer while cutting their teeth—viz., Feverish Heats, Fits, Convulsions, Sickness of Stomach and Debility, accompanied with Relaxation of the Bowels, and pale and green motions, or Inflammation of the Gums.
... the striking superiority both in the health and strength of those children who have taken the soothing Powders during the period of Teething has induced the Proprietor to make this MUCH-VALUED MEDICINE more generally known by this advertisement.
The directions are:
Dose.—From one to three months, the third of a Powder; from three to six months, half of a Powder; from six months and above that age, one Powder only and no more; ...
The average weight of one powder was 2·8 grains; twelve powders weighed singly had weights varying from 1·9 to 4·5 grains. Analysis showed the powder to consist of:
| Calomel | 27 | per cent. |
| Sugar | 22 | ” |
| Maize starch | 50·5 | ” |
| Ash | 0·5 | ” |
A minute trace of alkaloid appeared to be present; the quantity was considerably less than in the Stedman’s powders described above, and so small, in fact, as hardly to give positive evidence of its alkaloidal nature.
The estimated cost of the ingredients of Steedman’s powders in a 2s. 9d. packet is one-eighth of a penny.
PRITCHARD’S TEETHING AND
FEVER POWDERS.
The proprietors of these powders give an address in a large provincial city. The price charged is 1s. 1½d. for a box containing sixteen powders.
In a circular enclosed in the package it is stated:
The constantly increasing sale of these justly esteemed Powders proves them to be the most effectual Medicine that can be given to young children during the troublesome and anxious period of teething. By their gentle action on the Bowels, and valuable cooling properties, they allay all irritation and Feverishness, prevent Fits, Convulsions, &c., ensure refreshing and natural sleep for the child, and therefore peaceful nights for the parents.
The directions are:
From one to three months, a third of a Powder; from three to six months, half a Powder; from six months and above that age, one Powder (not to be given if the child is relaxed).
The average weight of the powders was 2·1 grains; twelve powders weighed singly had weights varying from 1·9 to 2·3 grains. Analysis showed the powder to consist of:
| Calomel | 47 | per cent. |
| Antimony oxide | 0·7 | ” |
| Calcium phosphate | 1·4 | ” |
| Sugar of milk | 50·9 | ” |
No trace of alkaloid was present.
The estimated cost of the ingredients of the powders in a 1s. 1½d. box is one-ninth of a penny.
FENNING’S CHILDREN’S
COOLING POWDERS.
The proprietor gives an address in the south of England, and the prices charged are 1s. 1½d. and 2s. 9d. a box; the 2s. 9d. box contained 48 powders.
They were described in a circular enclosed with the box as:
The best medicine for infants cutting their teeth, preventing convulsions, thrush, disordered bowels, and for all the feverish diseases of infants and children.
The following directions are given:
For an Infant under three years of age, give one of Fenning’s Cooling Powders mixed with a little water, or it could be thrown dry as it is into the opened mouth of the baby, and gently holding back the head for half a minute it would be swallowed.
Whenever an Infant is restless or feverishly hot from Teething, when it is griped or sick from improper food, or over-feeding; has acidity, or a disordered stomach, one of these Powders should be immediately given and, if necessary, repeated every day....
When a Child is attacked with Thrush, Measles, Hooping Cough, or Fever of any sort, always keep the feverish blood cool by giving a dose of Fenning’s Cooling Powders every or every other day.
The powders had an average weight of 3·4 grains; twelve powders weighed singly had weights varying from 3·2 to 3·8 grains. Analysis showed the powder to consist of:
| Potassium chlorate | 70 | per cent. |
| Powdered liquorice | 30 | ” |
The estimated cost of the ingredients of the powders in a 2s. 9d. box is one-sixth of a penny.
CHAPTER XV.
REMEDIES FOR EAR DISEASE
AND DEAFNESS.
Some of the advertisements most frequently seen headed “Deafness cured,” “Eyes and Ears,” “Eye Diseases cured,” etc., do not refer to nostrums obtainable in the usual way through patent medicine dealers. The reader of the announcement is invited to write to the address given for particulars of special remedies, or an “interesting and convincing book post free,” dealing with the cure of diseases without operation, etc. Application for particulars brings much printed matter recommending the advertiser’s method, accompanied by a set of questions to be answered by the sufferer. If these answers are supplied and the fee demanded paid, medicine of some sort is sent. Medicines sold in this way, of which many other instances have been given in previous chapters, form a special class of “secret remedies,” and might be said, perhaps, to come rather under the head of prescribing at a distance, but it is, to say the least, very doubtful whether the composition of the medicines supplied is modified according to the answers given to the questions, and the two kinds of quackery are not sharply separated. In the case of the preparations now to be described, one or two belong more nearly to the class just referred to than to that of ordinary “patent medicines.”
We meet again the benevolent gentleman who having cured himself offers “to send particulars of remedy free,” but eventually sells his treatment at a price which would seem to represent no bad profit on the outlay for materials.
We also meet the dealer who to encourage the possible buyer sends a reduced price coupon only asking in return for the names and addresses of two or three friends who suffer in like manner.
ALFRED CROMPTON’S SPECIFIC
FOR DEAFNESS.
This so-called specific, prepared in a town in the north of England, is sold in a bottle containing half a fluid ounce, and costing 1s. 1½d.
The label on the outside of the package was headed:
Deafness Cured!
and continues:
Alfred Crompton’s Specific for Deafness, Noises in the Ears, &c., is decidedly the best remedy out for this most annoying complaint. A single Bottle has in most instances effected a speedy and permanent cure.
The directions were:
Warm the Specific and Shake the Bottle. Two or three drops to be dropped in the Ear, night and morning, and rub behind and under the Ear with the Specific.
Analysis showed the following composition:
| Soap | 3·6 | per cent. |
| Glycerine | 45·0 | ” |
| Oil | 21·7 | ” |
| Water | 29·5 | ” |
| Alcohol | a trace. | |
| Oil of rosemary | ” | |
There was a slight indication of a trace of camphor; probably this with the alcohol and oil of rosemary and part of the soap were added in the form of soap liniment. The oil gave analytical figures corresponding to a mixture of almond and colza oils in about equal proportions.
The estimated cost of ingredients, for ½-oz., is one farthing.
DELLAR’S ESSENCE
FOR DEAFNESS.
This so-called essence, prepared it is stated by a company giving an address in London, and sold at the price of 1s. 1½d. for a bottle, containing two-fifths of a fluid ounce, is described on the label as “An old-established and valuable remedy.”
Directions for Use.—A small piece of wool, well moistened with the Essence, to be pushed into the cavity of the Ear every night at bedtime, and removed in the morning.
Analysis showed the composition to be;
| Oil of turpentine | 16 | per cent. |
| Fixed oil | 84 | ” |
The properties of the fixed oil and the figures which it gave on further analysis corresponded to those of almond oil.
The estimated cost of the ingredients, for two-fifths of an ounce, is one halfpenny.
HERBERT CLIFTON’S TREATMENT
FOR DEAFNESS.
This is brought to the notice of the public by an advertisement in the following terms:
A new cure for deafness. A Gentleman who cured himself after 14 years’ suffering will send particulars of remedy free.
Here followed the gentleman’s address, and an application brought a letter and a pamphlet entitled “Deafness and Noises in the Head, with Instructions how they may be Absolutely Cured,” which was marked “40th edition.” It professed to give an account of the writer’s own experiences. A few extracts will suffice to give an idea of it:
Those only who have suffered from the terrible calamity of deafness can understand the misery it brings into one’s life; and only those who have had occasion to seek the assistance of men who profess to cure this awful affliction can appreciate how utterly its treatment is misunderstood by the various advertising empirics who profess to cure it, whether by electrical, galvanic, or any of the other methods which are so alluringly set forth as perfectly infallible by people who never suffered themselves, who can have no sympathy, therefore, with those whom they profess to assist, and whose only object is to extract as large a sum as they possibly can from the pockets of those whom they have been able to attract to their spider’s parlour. The writer, however, of the present pamphlet is in a different position.... As a lad I began to suffer from noises in the head, which as time went on increased to such an alarming degree that I was taken to an Aural Surgeon.... The usual result followed. I became worse and worse, and, of course, weaker through his treatment.... Another doctor was consulted.... But the treatment failed, my affliction increased, and MY LIFE BECAME A BURDEN.... There seemed no hope for me. Nearly a dozen eminent surgeons had seen me, examined me, said different things about me, and indifferently treated me; but all to no purpose.... As a last resource I tried the various quack remedies which have allured so many to their bitter cost, and many a pound was wasted on mechanical, electrical, magnetic, and other useless appliances, and upon ear-trumpets, drums, tubes, &c., with no result.... Then the wild, yet happy, thought flashed across me: “Why not try and cure yourself?” I pondered and pondered over the idea, and at last, rather than submit to my fate, determined to study physiology and medicine and endeavour to discover the cause of my deafness, with the distant hope that I might alight upon the method of its cure.... The conclusion I came to was that what I really required was a medicine which should reach the minute muscles of the inner ear, as upon their proper action the sense of hearing almost entirely depends ... after a time I had succeeded in discovering a preparation which would do the required work.... My disease was of so long standing, that I had found it had caused the drums of my ears to become weak and shrunken ... and I soon devised a small appliance to fit inside each ear—the appliance which I now term the “Invisible Drum Support” ... in my gratitude to the Almighty for my merciful deliverance I vowed that I would publish to the world the method by which I had struggled out of the dark past into the brilliant light of the present.
A postscript to the letter stated that “No charge whatever is made for advice, so you need not hesitate to avail yourself of the benefit of my opinion,” but no information was vouchsafed as to the price charged for the “treatment,” except that it would be found extremely moderate. Paragraphs, of the usual inspired kind, were quoted from the Family Doctor, Christian Union, Family Churchman, Health, and local newspapers of varying degrees of obscurity.
The letter and pamphlet were followed after an interval by another letter, as follows:
Dear Friend,
Referring to your application for my Pamphlet some time back, I shall be glad to know whether you wish me to proceed further in the matter. As I have received no letter from you, I presume that you imagine the cost of treatment will be too high. I will, therefore, make you a Special Offer, that is, for the sum of 10s. (which may be paid in two monthly instalments of 5s. each, if more convenient) I will forward you the full Treatment and Directions. Should you avail yourself of this offer, kindly detach the form at the bottom of this letter and return to me. The Treatment is, without doubt, the most effectual ever placed before the Public, as will be found by the numerous testimonials received.
I am daily in receipt of letters similar to those enclosed herewith, and I feel confident that, should you give the treatment a trial, you will also be able to report quite as good results.
Kindly let me know your decision as soon as possible. If you will take my advice you will not further delay.
May I draw your attention to the letters on the other side?
I am, yours faithfully,
Herbert Clifton.
The “treatment form” was filled up and sent in with 10s., and, as was to be expected, “my candid opinion as to whether my system of treatment is calculated to efficiently meet the requirement,” was apparently in favour of treating the case, as a pair of “drum-supports” and a bottle of fluid were received, together with a letter asking the recipient to follow out the directions given very carefully and not be disheartened “because you find no improvement immediately, you must give the Cure a fair trial. I shall be glad,” the letter concluded, “to hear from you in about three weeks’ time with a general report on your case.”
The “drum-supports” consisted of half-inch lengths of narrow india-rubber tubing, as used for the valves of bicycle tyres, with an inner tube of “gum-elastic,” the india-rubber being expanded at one end into a funnel ¼ in. long, and attached at the other to a small oval disc of sheet india-rubber. The prime cost of the pair would probably not exceed 3d. The bottle was labelled “No. 1. Price 3s.,” and contained 1 fluid ounce of liquid; analysis showed this to have the following composition:
| Glycerine | 10 | per cent. | approx. |
| Oil | 28 | ” | ” |
| Ether | 2 | ” | ” |
| Water | to 100 |
A trace (about 0·01 per cent.) of an alkaline substance was present, which appeared to be borax. The oil showed the characters of almond oil.
The estimated cost of the ingredients, for 1 oz., is one halfpenny.