Awfully strange
substances have been used for pharmaceutical purposes in the past — and
some might argue, continue to be used today.
Cocaine:
Lloyd Cocaine Toothache Drops
In the US, cocaine was sold over the counter until 1914 and was
commonly found in products like toothache drops, dandruff remedies and
medicinal tonics.
Metcalf’s Coca Wine
Coca wine combined wine with cocaine, producing a compound now
known as cocaethylene, which, when ingested, is nearly as powerful a
stimulant as cocaine.
Vin Mariani Wine
The marketing efforts for coca wine focused primarily on its
medicinal properties, in part because it didn’t taste very good and in
part because the cocaethylene effects were perceived to “fortify and
refresh body and brain” and “restore health and vitality.”
Heroin:
Bayer Heroin
From 1898 through to 1910, heroin was marketed as a cough suppressant by
trusted companies like Bayer — alongside the company’s other new
product, Aspirin.
Smith Glyco-Heroin
A mixture of heroin and glycerin. “No other preparation has had its
therapeutic value more thoroughly defined or better established.”
Opium:
Pantopon Roche Injectable Opium
“Try Pantopon in place of morphine for dependable, optimum relief of pain.”
Morphine:
Ayer’s Cherry Pectoral
Depending on which list of contents you reference, this cure
for colds, coughs and “all diseases of the throat and lungs” contained
either morphine or heroin.
Mrs. Winslow’s Soothing Syrup
Contained 65 mg of morphine per fluid ounce. “For children teething.”
Quaaludes:
Quaalude-300
Brand name for the now-illegal sedative methaqualone. “Now the
physician has one less tired, sleepy and apprehensive patient to contend
with.”
Cigarettes:
Dr. Batty’s Asthma Cigarettes
Cigarettes with unknown contents claimed to provide temporary
relief of everything from asthma to colds, canker sores and bad breath.
“Not recommended for children under 6.”
Alcohol:
Anheuser-Bush’s Malt-Nutrine
Starting in the late 1800s, many breweries produced “food tonics,” malt
beverages containing around 2% alcohol that were promoted as “food in
liquid form,” aiding in digestion, increasing appetite and aiding in
sleep. “A boon to nursing mothers.”
Pabst Extract
A malt tonic from Pabst. “The best tonic prepares the way for happy, healthy motherhood.”
Chloroform:
Kimball White Pine and Tar Cough Syrup
Until 1976, chloroform was used in consumer products like cough syrup, toothpastes, ointments and other pharmaceuticals.
Marijuana:
Cosadein
This cough remedy contained, among other things, codeine, chloroform and cannabis.
Soda:
Coca-Cola
Coca-Cola was invented in the late 1800s as a “coca wine” (see
above) mix of wine and cocaine, but the alcohol and cocaine were later
replaced with syrup and coca leaves, respectively. Nevertheless, typical
coca wine claims of increased vitality remained for many years.
“A valuable brain tonic, and a cure for all nervous affections — sick head-ache, neuralgia, hysteria, melancholy.”
Amphetamines:
Biphetamine
A combination of two amphetamines; known popularly as “black beauties.” Marketed for its weight loss benefits.
Norodin
Brand name for methamphetamine. “The selective cerebral action of
Norodin is useful in dispelling the shadows of mild mental depression.”
Dexedrine
Brand name for dextroamphetamine. “Many of your patients — particularly
housewives — are crushed under a load of dull, routine duties that leave
them in a state of mental and emotional fatigue…Dexedrine will give
them a feeling of energy and well-being, renewing their interest in life
and living.”
Barbiturates:
McNeil Butisol Sodium
Brand name for butabarbital. “Mabel is unstable…it’s ‘that time’ in her
life. To see her through the menopause, there’s gentle ‘daytime
sedation’ in Butisol Sodium.”
Nembutal Suppositories
Brand name for pentobarbital. “When little patients balk at scary,
disquieting examinations…When they need prompt sedation (and the oral
route isn’t feasible)…try Nembutal sodium suppositories…There is little
tendency toward morning-after hangover.”
Lakeside Pentobarbital and Phenobarbital
“When crisis demands quick-acting hypnotics.”
Unknown-Content Quackery:
Dr. Miles’ Nervine
“Since I have been taking Nervine, nothing bothers me.”
Wolcott’s Instant Pain Annihilator
“A speedy & permanent cure for headache, toothache, neuralgia, catarrh and weak nerves.”
Dalley’s Magical Pain Extractor
“Molly Pitcher, the heroine of Monmouth, avenging her husband’s death.”
Dr. Ham’s Aromatic Invigorator
A “cure for Dyspepsia, Low Spirits, Nervousness, Heartburn, Colic Pains,
Wind in the Stomach or Pains in the Bowels, Headache, Drowsiness,
Kidney and Liver Complaints, Melancholy, Delirium Tremens, and
Intemperance.”
