Cannabis Museum

Cannabis as an Ingredient in Patent Medicines

The turn of the twentieth century brought great technical innovations, including the light bulb, radios and mechanical bottle making. Glass products went from being hand blown and precious to stamped out and cheap. The apothecarist, custom formulating each individual prescription from his shelves of bottled ingredients, gave way to the modern druggist selling pre-packaged, branded products. Branding brought on the age of advertising. Though few of these early formulations were actually patented, early publications supported themselves with ads for the “patented” medicines, thus naming this the Patent Medicine Era. These new medicines were sold to a public enthralled with scientific progress. Unfortunately, few of the products promoted in this era were actually innovative. The new industry was unregulated and anyone who could hawk a great sales pitch could succeed in the emerging pharmaceutical industry. Wild West Shows were popular sales events. Most patent medicines were alcohol-based. Few contained their claimed ingredients; most were proven to have no active ingredients whatsoever. Some contained opium or morphine, often failing to include these ingredients on the label. In 1905, muckraker Samuel Hopkins Adams published an exposé entitled “The Great American Fraud” in Collier’s Weekly. Public furor led to the passage of the Pure Food and Drug Act of 1906, requiring the labeling of alcohol, narcotics, and stimulants in medicines. This law banned misleading, overstated, fraudulent claims in the labeling and promotion of products. This quickly ended the era of patent medicines and forced the pharmaceutical industry into adopting scientific methods and standards. Pronto Grippe, Colds, Coughs, Nervous or Bilious Headaches and Sore Throat, Alcohol not over 11{a5d39aeaa89b711877bfee2ca7656cf807df36037fbc628b2ec0da2786d5885f}. National Drug Products, Inc., Atlanta Georgia “Contains a good laxative.” The bottle has significant residue on the sides and bottom. 2 1/2″ x 1 1/2″ x 7″. Bees Laxative B Cough Syrup, E.C. Dewitt & Co., Chicago. “Pleasant to take for coughs, colds, spasmodic croup, whooping cough, etc. Contains tincture Cannabis, Directions: Adults take one teaspoonful, repeat in 30 minutes if necessary. Children: In proportion to age, for babies, dilute in milk or syrup if desired.” The corked bottle is almost full of dark liquid. 7″ x 2 1/2″ x 1″. Security Cough, Cold and Distemper Remedy, Bottle and Box. “Contains Cannabis Indica. Guaranteed under the Food and Drug Act, June 30, 1906. Serial # 1595. Will relieve the worst cough, chill or fever. Influenza or mucous membranes affections of the animal’s throat, nose, eyes, mouth or air passages. Price One Dollar.” Security Remedy Co. Minneapolis, MN. Cork with wax seal, intact with some chips. Contents almost full. 6 1/2″ x 2 1/2″ x 1 1/4″. Dr. Hands Pleasant Physic for Children. Embossed bottle with label and box. Remedies for children. “In time of need cough and croup teething lotion, general tonic, chaffing powder. The little one’s friend. Diarrhoea Mixture. Colic Remedy.” Hand Medicine Co., Philadelphia, PA. 6″ x 2″ x 1″. Gray’s Balsam for the Throat and Lungs. “Contains: tincture of Cannabis for coughs, colds, asthma, bronchitis, la grippe, tickling in the throat and all throat and lung troubles. Affords immediate relief in the severest cases of croup and whooping cough.” S.K. Pierson, Leroy, NY. 2 1/2″ x 1 1/4″ x 6 3/4″.