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.