Spotlight on Patent Medicines – Dr. William Hall’s Balsam for the Lungs

*the following guest blog post was written by Varsha Jayaraman, Queen’s Work Study Curatorial Assistant

In the mid-to-late twentieth century, advertising trade cards were important for circulating information about patent medicines, or “over-the-counter” drugs.  Dr. William Hall’s Balsam was printed by the Donaldson Brothers of Five Points, New York, a popular advertiser from 1872 to 1891.

Dr. Hall’s Balsam for the Lungs, 1860, 996001411, Collection of the Museum of Health Care

Weekly Photo Challenge: Waiting

To open up the Museum of Health Care’s artefact collection we are participating in WordPress’ Weekly Photo Challenge. Based on WordPress’ randomly chosen themes, we’ll offer a serendipitous peek into our collection. Check in each week for a new curiosity.

Advertising clock sign, 1905-1915. Accession #004004006.

Click here to search the Museum’s collection online.

 

Weekly Photo Challenge: Family

To open up the Museum of Health Care’s artefact collection we are participating in WordPress’ Weekly Photo Challenge. Based on WordPress’ randomly chosen themes, we’ll offer a serendipitous peek into our collection. Check in each week for a new curiosity.

Paper trade card for Dr. Thomas’ Eclectric Oil, c.1860. MHC Accession #996001792

Click here to search the Museum’s collection online.

Weekly Photo Challenge: Sunset

To open up the Museum of Health Care’s artefact collection we are participating in WordPress’ Weekly Photo Challenge. Based on WordPress’ randomly chosen themes, we’ll offer a serendipitous peek into our collection. Check in each week for a new curiosity.

Hall’s Vegetable Sicilian Hair Renewer trade card, c. 1882. MHC Accession #996001413

 

The back of this patent medicine trade card tells how Hall’s Vegetable Sicilian Hair Renewer cures all diseases of the scalp and restores hair to its natural colour, growth, and youthful beauty.

 

Clever advertising campaigns enticed the public, especially the lower class, to buy patent medicines, as many people could not afford the services of a doctor. Here they associate the product with the power and beauty of nature. Sound familiar?

 

Click here to search the Museum’s collection online.