"Snake Oil" Medicine 1800's

During the 1800's, a new trend of homeopathic medicine, fueled by upstart "doctors" eager to slang their cure-all tinctures, was all the rage.
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a man standing next to a dog in front of an old medicine show truck with a sign on it
Snake Oils and other oddities were showcased in traveling medicine shows, trying to be sold by salesmen-doctors-auctioneers. This is a typical wagon that would have travelled in the shows.
A standard advertisement for Merchant's Gargling Liniment, containing a list of the ailments it will supposedly cure. Snake Oil, Antique Advertising, Medicine Doctor, Homeopathic Medicine, Medicine, Collectibles, History
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A standard advertisement for Merchant's Gargling Liniment, containing a list of the ailments it will supposedly cure.
One of the more popular, well-known brands for Snake Oil was G.W. Merchant's Celebrated Gargling Oil, for application on both(!) horses and people, promising to cure various skin conditions. Home Remedies, Dish Soap, Natural Remedies, Soap, Conditioner, Horses
One of the more popular, well-known brands for Snake Oil was G.W. Merchant's Celebrated Gargling Oil, for application on both(!) horses and people, promising to cure various skin conditions.
an old poster with skeletons on it
Believe it or not, actual oil containing (or claiming to contain) snake was marketed and sold to the public for a very extensive time period. This particular oil claimed to be made from rattlesnakes, and was advertised as a "guaranteed cure" for Rheumatism.
two men are standing next to a horse drawn cart with a sign on it's side
Another example of a horse-drawn carriage that was used for transporting oils and other products in traveling medical shows. Many of these vendors would often travel great distances, to other states and other cities to try and sell their products.
"G.W. Merchant's Celebrated Gargling Oil" was nationally known as a treatment for horses, as it supposedly helped their feet fight off infection. Celebrities
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"G.W. Merchant's Celebrated Gargling Oil" was nationally known as a treatment for horses, as it supposedly helped their feet fight off infection.
an old advertisement for swamp root with a rooster on it's back and the words,
Gold Rush Medicine: Swamp Root, Snake Oil and More
The recipe for most Snake Oils was simple. A root or native plant was almost always used, along with the endorsement of a "doctor" and a list of ailments the product could cure.
Common advertisements for these snake oil products often included numbers promoting the amount of product sold, along with a laundry-list of the ailments that the product can help cure. Vintage Bizarre, Medical Things, February 3rd, Medical Instruments, Old Advertising
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Common advertisements for these snake oil products often included numbers promoting the amount of product sold, along with a laundry-list of the ailments that the product can help cure.
This Gargling Oil bottle fragment was found on what was believed to be a former farm. If the family used G.W. Merchant's flagship product it can be said that the family most likely owned horses and other livestock. Oil Bottle, Canning
This Gargling Oil bottle fragment was found on what was believed to be a former farm. If the family used G.W. Merchant's flagship product it can be said that the family most likely owned horses and other livestock.
an old glass bottle sitting next to a ruler
Other Original Civil War Period Items for sale | eBay
The Civil War was a big business opportunity for many of the country's medicine men, as soldiers proved to be a major market for alternative medicine in the 1800's.