On the outside of the package these pills, which are advertised from an address in a town in the south of England, and sold in boxes of 14 costing 1s. 1½d., are stated to “correct the stomach and stimulate the liver and kidneys.” In a circular enclosed with the box they are referred to as “Certain Corrective! Positive Cure!” while the obscurity of the following is perhaps intended to make the warning conveyed more effective:

Do not let slight or severe Kidney Disorders develop into Cancerous Decay, Twin Complaints—Kidney Liver Diseases. Cure them! Put both in strong active order. There is not a safer, surer, speedier remedy in existence. Myriads of people thank Providence for Dr. Var’s Kidney Pills. Should be taken for Natural Weak Kidneys.

The directions are:

One to be taken three times a day after meals.

The “pills” were in reality flexible capsules, each containing about 5½ grains of a soft mass in which oils of juniper and peppermint could be recognized in small quantity; examination also showed the presence of potassium nitrate, of small quantities of iron and magnesium compounds, and of lycopodium,[1] together with powdered squill, wheat starch, and a “green” extract, containing a trace of alkaloid, which appeared from its characters to be a mixture of extracts of henbane and taraxacum. The iron was perhaps an accidental impurity, and the magnesia and lycopodium were probably added to assist in making up the mass and not for therapeutic effect. The following formula gives a similar mass:

Oil of peppermint1drop.
”juniper8drops.
Potassium nitrate8grains.
Powdered squill3”
Wheat flour6”
Extract of henbane7”
 ” taraxacum  21”
In 10 capsules.

The estimated cost of the materials of 14 capsules is under ¾d.

[1] Lycopodium is a fine powder consisting of plant-spores sometimes used by pharmacists for enveloping pills which easily take up moisture.

FITCH’S KIDNEY AND LIVER COOLER.

A bottle of this preparation containing rather less than 4 fluid ounces is sold for 2s. The directions are: