Each advertisement included a long description of a “case,” and as a rule a picture was introduced. The following is from the concluding paragraph of the first of these advertisements, and the others ended in a similar way.
The Dr. Williams’ Way.
When the muscles and nerves are tortured by poisons in the Blood, be the result Rheumatism, Sciatica, or Lumbago, the only way to a cure is to Enrich and Purify the Blood. Dr. Williams’ Pink Pills, in this way alone, have cured not only Rheumatism, but Anæmia, Indigestion, Palpitations, Influenza’s After-Effects, Eczema, Sciatica, St. Vitus’ Dance, Spinal Weakness, the many forms of Nervous Disorders dreaded by men; also the special ailments of women.
The pills were ovoid in shape and coated with sugar, coloured pink; after removal of the coating they had an average weight of 3 grains. Analysis showed them to contain ferrous sulphate, potassium carbonate (these two having reacted more or less completely, and about one-third of the iron having become oxidized to the ferric state), magnesia, powdered liquorice, and sugar. Since it has been stated that these pills contain arsenic, careful search was made for it, but it was not found, The pill is thus merely one of the many variations of Blaud’s pill. The quantities of the different ingredients found indicated the following formula:
| Exsiccated sulphate of iron | 0·75 | grain. |
| Potassium carbonate, anhydrous | 0·66 | ” |
| Magnesia | 0·09 | ” |
| Powdered liquorice | 1·4 | ” |
| Sugar | 0·2 | ” |
| In one pill. | ||
The estimated cost of the ingredients for 30 pills is one-tenth of a penny.
BEECHAM’S PILLS.
A box of these pills, advertised to be worth a guinea, is sold for 1s. 1½d., and the prime cost of the ingredients of the 56 pills it contains is about half a farthing.
In a circular wrapped round the box it is stated that “these renowned pills are composed entirely of Medicinal Herbs,” and cure Constipation, Headache, Dizziness or Swimming in the Head, Wind, Pain, and Spasms at the Stomach, Pains in the Back, Restlessness, Insomnia, Indigestion, Want of Appetite, Fullness after Meals, Vomitings, Sickness of the Stomach, Bilious or Liver Complaints, Sick Headaches, Cold Chills, Flushings of Heat, Lowness of Spirits, and all Nervous Affections, Scurvy and Scorbutic Affections, Pimples and Blotches on the Skin, Bad Legs, Ulcers, Wounds, Maladies of Indiscretion, Kidney and Urinary Disorders, and Menstrual Derangements.
The pills had an average weight of 1¼ grains, and analysis showed them to consist of aloes, ginger, and soap; no other medicinal ingredient was found. The quantities were approximately as follows: