Medical Remedies

[Melissa E. Kalson]

I was wondering for some time now.. what did people do on board if they had any slight medical problems such as headaches, colds or such? Were there such things as aspirin for headaches and what rememdies were there for both the common cold and seasickness? I'm just curious as to how these minor ailments were treated on board.

Sincerely,

Melissa K.

 

[Michael H. Standart]

I'm aware of a remedy for constipation that had the rather picuresque trademark of "Black Thunder!" I think aspirin's been around for quite some time now

 

[Dave Gittins]

I can't seem to find the ad I've got for a tonic that was supposed to prevent seasickness. I'll bet it didn't work. I'm sure to find it when researching something else.

However, I can offer some choice 1912 remedies for other ailments, especially for constipation, which seems to have been something of an obsession.

For the children, you need Castoria, a castor oil substitute. Guaranteed free from opium and only 2% alcohol.

"The army of constipation is growing smaller every day". Carter's Little Liver Pills are saving the day.

Beecham's pills fix just about everything in the way of aches and pains, especially those peculiar to the fairer sex.

Pyramid Pile Remedy fixes piles in the privacy of your home.

You wouldn't be in such a mess if you had taken Scott's Emulsion "the World's Standard Body-Builder and Nerve-Food-Tonic". I have a vague memory of taking this stuff, probably on the theory that things that don't kill you make you stronger. I certainly haven't got piles, constipation or problems peculiar to women, so it did some good!.

I found all these things in a few minutes in US papers from 1912.

I'll bet the British can add more.

I'm not sure that aspirin was around in tablet form at the time. The internet will tell us.

 

[Dave Gittins]

Here we are. The story of aspirin.

http://inventors.about.com/library/inventors/blaspirin.htm

It's amazing what those old chemists could do without the least knowledge of modern atomic theory.

 

[Melissa E. Kalson]

Thanks Michael & Dave.. That was an interesting read on aspirin. And the constipation

 

[Michael H. Standart]

Melissa, you might find This Website On Patent Medicines to be of some interest. It's amazing what was floating around back then which was touted off as a cure for everything. Can't say much has changed since then. These days, we just call them "Natural Herbal Supplements" or something to the effect.

 

[Dave Gittins]

Melissa, I've found a cure for your cold. A bit late, but it might help. You need Hale's Honey, a compound of horehound and tar. "It soothes and heals" and it's opium free.

The mention of opium is because during the 19th century opium was used in many medicines, especially in the form of laudanam, a tincture of opium. The results were sometimes drastic.

I regret to say that I still can't find the seasickness cure. You could try one recommended by Sir James Bisset, 2nd officer of Carpathia and later Cunard Commodore. This consists of a pannikin of seawater, administered by a brawny first mate. Bisset was never game to suggest it to his passengers.

 

[Michael H. Standart]

IIRC, quite a few medicines back then used high levels or murcury and arsenic. I suppose that could be considered a "cure" of sorts if used long and often enough.

 

[Jeremy Lee]

Even today, China is still producing lots of medicines with high levels of mercury (I am not too sure about arsenic) that cannot be exported because most country bans them. Still, they are popular enough in China for them to go on producing.

Emperor Qin Shihuang (First Emperor of China) was killed by medicines supposed to make him an immortal. He died of a mercury overdose.

 

[Chris Mazzella]

In "Ghosts of the Abyss" book on page 117 it shows a medicine bottle with contents still inside in the Crew Surgery just forward of the well deck. If I had a scanner I would scan it and upload it on here but sadly i dont.

 

[Michael H. Standart]

Just as well that you don't Chris, since the images are protected by copyright. Just a friendly reminder to all to please be mindful of copyright issues since compliance with same is taken very seriously here. Thank you all for your co-operation in this.

 

[Jeremy Lee]

Was the medicine bottle you mentioned above a green one Chris? I remember reading it but since I don't have the book, I can't be sure.

 

[Chris Mazzella]

Yes it is the green one

 

[Colleen Collier]

re: Head ache.
If you ask most any bottle collector what is his most found bottle when digging, he will probably groan and complain, that it is a small cobalt blue bottle called "Bromo-Seltzer."
The story behind it, is an interesting one to learn about. The inventor of this medicine was a certain Captain Isaac Emerson, who made it for his headache riddled wife.
They had a daughter, known as Margaret. She lived until January 1960, and married 4 times in all. She was later known as Margaret Emerson McKim Vanderbilt Baker Amory Emerson..... That is correct, at one time, married to the very same Arthur Vanderbilt that died on the Lusitania.
This web site talks more about Margaret. Note the references to the affluent names somehow connected to the Titanic. The Vanderbilts are Great Camp Sagamore - About The Camp - History (In a Nutshell) - Mrs. Vanderbilt's Sagamore -

 

[Colleen Collier]

Re: Medicines of the 1860s to 1920s.
Many medicines of this era ended up what are now known as "Baby Killers," as they did not know that certain substances, or certain combinations were toxic to children. Mercury, a substance used to extract gold ore, killed blinded, or drove many insane in my state.
Opium's, cocaines, etc., were sold under such names as Coca-Cola. Speaking of constipation, we have the one and only Dr Pepper, (older than Coca-cola.)
back as far as the Civil War, when drinking liquor was a real no-no, it was bottled and sold as Bitters. Unsuspecting, but caring wives would send these to their men in the field to help thwart off, or cure everything from stomach, liver, and kidney ailments, to mange, jaundice, disease, and if all else failed, to promote general healthfulness aka blood purifier. I am told that the alcoholic content was that of whiskey.
Women could be lead to believe that certain bitters could cure their problems, from hair growth and weight problems, to babies.
I have a few reproduction advertisement signs from the 1900's with quotes such as "pure and wholesome," "health preserving" and "a medical breakthrough." Since I am quickly learning that the Victorian/Edwardian era was all about cleanliness and health, these peddlers, and magazine advertisers could easily make a good living from marketing items that appeal to the masses.... much like today!