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Put on the Brakes

Unfortunately for manufacturers, federal regulation began to become involved in the pharmaceutical trade when the Pure Food and Drug Act was passed in 1906. This established a ban on the interstate commerce of mislabeled drugs, though provided no oversight on quality or effectiveness. Indeed, many of the commonly used medications were useless and sometimes harmful (13-18). When drug companies finally admitted they had no cure for a disease, the frightening quarantine sign would be displayed as a public warning (19). There were no restrictions on false claims until 1912 when it took 100 deaths from the use of sulfanilamide, a drug that had been tested only for appearance and flavor, to encourage protective legislation. Finally, in 1937 the Federal government passed the Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act which mandated the review of drugs for safety and efficacy (20). Ironically, federal regulations may have gone too far when the prohibition of alcohol was passed - except, of course, for "medicinal" use (21-23).

Step to the Rear Please

Many sorts of devices enabled pharmacists to produce medications for their customers in pill form (24-25c) though not infrequently these therapies could be given no other way than rectally either by suppository (26,27), or by clyster (28-30). The latter was a large syringe for rectal infusion and was used primarily before the 19th century. Many different substances (including tobacco) were introduced by enema for all kinds of medical conditions.

13-18) Off the Market Today

Imagination ran wild and all was fair game until Federal regulation began to review efficacy. Here are examples of the wild things on the market through the early 20th century. Snake oil was used as a liniment in the 19th century. Shown is a very common apothecary jar containing mercury that was used to treat syphilis (and caused kidney failure). Here is injectible urine to cure cancer and ovarian extract for feminine enhancement. Substances that are now controlled were used in medications for children and adults. Quack theories hit the apothecary market including magnetism, x-ray, electricity, and radioactivity.

19) Quarantine

This was probably the most frightening sign of the 20th century, recalling the terror that untreatable plagues imparted throughout the ages.

20) Kidney Cures

The variety of treatments on the market was astounding, many claiming to cure diseases for which they had little or no effect.

21-23) Prohibition

A lesson was learned from the prohibition of alcohol in the early 20th century. Physicians and pharmacists found a way around the law by making alcohol a medication available by prescription.

24-25c) Medications in Pill Form

Drugs became more available to patients and could be given for longer periods of time in pill form. Here is a pill roller with an unusual marble top, and a pill silverer and finisher showing their end product. Two cork presses and a cork puller are also pictured.

26-27) Suppositories

With intravenous fluids and good antiemetics not available, suppositories were frequently prescribed. Shown is a suppository machine #3 made by Whitall & Tatum (1895) containing various sized attachments. Rectal and vaginal presses for the same purpose are also seen here.

28-30) The Clyster

The rectal administration of medications was useful by way of a clyster, here illustrated in this 15th century manuscript Scenes of the Practice of Medicine. Galen is the nearby physician dressed in an ermine trimmed red robe. Various forms of clysters are seen here in Armamentarium Chirurgiae (1693), by Ioannis Sculteti while the pictured clyster is a typical pewter example from the 18th century. The ivory tip is removable and is stored in the handle.

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13) Snake Oil

19) Polio Warning

20) Kidney Cures

22) Prescription Whiskey

25) Pill Silverer

26) Suppository Machine

28) Clyster in Use