Baldness.
BOSTON, November 24, 1859.

Gentlemen: When I first used your Cocoaine, I had been bald seven years. In the mean time I had tried a dozen different preparations, specially recommended for baldness (and all claiming to be infallible), without any beneficial effect.

The ladies of my household urged me to try your Cocoaine, which I did, to please them, not having, myself, any faith in the power of man to restore my hair. I have used the contents of one bottle, and my bald pate is covered all over with young hair, about three-eighths of an inch long, which appears strong and healthy, and determined to grow.

In a word, your Cocoaine is excellent—the best preparation for the hair I have ever known, and the only one which accomplishes more than it promises.

Very truly your obliged and obedient servant,

D. T. MERWIN. Messrs. JOSEPH BURNETT & CO., Boston.

http://www.sonofthesouth.net/leefoundation/civil-war/1863/november/baldness-cure.htm

 

Guys,

It must be tough to be folliclely challenged!  

Now, if they could come up with a pill that would magically take about four inches off your waist. I'd be standing in line for that bad boy!  

Quote :

Bill wrote : Guys, It must be tough to be folliclely challenged!   Now, if they could come up with a pill that would magically take about four inches off your waist. I'd be standing in line for that bad boy!

Well Bill.. you don't need a pill for that.. just some month old meat and bad water.. and you should be able to take care of that in a few days..

There's a pretty decent show that shows up on the History Channel group of channels from time to time. I think the show does an very nice job of going through the history drugs and narcotics most of which are now illeagle in the US. I always chuckle when the discuss giving hash to children, just like candy and how it's great for the whole family!

Grumpy, these days the cycle of wonder drug to class action lawsuit takes very little time. The latest two that I've noticed was a common (as of about four years ago) pancreas treatment pill, and a bad reaction to dyes relating to cancer treatment. Side effects aren't so "side" anymore.

Yet, reenactors complain about being issued bacon. Sigh.

Quote :

Charles Heath wrote : Side effects aren't so "side" anymore.

Sometimes the side effects listed seem worse that what you may be suffering with..

CERTAIN AND IMMEDIATE CURE HEGMAN & CO.'S CAMPHOR ICE WITH GLYCERINE,
If used according to the directions, will keep the hands soft in the coldest weather. Price 25 cents. Sold by druggists. Sent by (nail on receipt of 30 cents.

HEGEMAN & CO., New York.

The Brazilian Hair Curler. One application warranted to curl the most straight and stubborn hair into wavy ringlets or heavy massive curls. Sent, post-paid, on receipt of $1 00. Address

S. S. CHASE, Cohoes, N. Y. D O Y O U WAN T LUXURIANT

WHISKERS OR MUSTACHES ?—My Onguent will force them to grow heavily in six weeks (upon the smoothest face) without stain or injury to the skin. Price $1—sent by mail, post free, to any address, on receipt of an or-der.   It. G. GRAHAM, No. 109 Nassau Street, N. Y.

http://www.sonofthesouth.net/leefoundation/civil-war/1864/november/over-hillside.htm

Ah, yes, good ol' "Mr. Onguent," and the wanted ad in the newspaper at a SCAR Shiloh NPS LH a couple of years ago. It was a toss up between the artist's rendering in the ad, or the fellow who had facial hair precisely the same as that image. We just about had him arrested until someone who could actually read a bit pointed out the fact it was an ad for a hair growth product as opposed to a wanted poster.

Well, so much for that reward.  

The pay call was very nice. So was the sutler.

Anyone remember the blue bottles Sparky prepared for Winter 1864? Even Erasmus Hopkins enjoyed those, even if he is still unsure as to the actual ingredients contained therein.

Hate to be a wet blanket, but think about this. Cocaine wasn't a common drug in the 1860s, let alone in 1857 when Burnett registered his product name--the word had barely been coined. So listen to the name "cocoaine" the way someone in the period would and what does it sound like? Just what was included. Coconut oil.

http://www.hairraisingstories.com/Products/BURNETT_C.html

Hank Trent
hanktrent@voyager.net

Somewhat off topic, but I remember we used to put camphor on chigger (red bug) bites back when DDT was still legal and we'd chase after the fogger truck on our bicycles (this may explain much), but can camphor even be purchased at neighborhood drug stores anymore?

I don't mean the chain stores, which are more like five and dimes, but real drug stores.

You can still get hold of it down here.  You can convert an empty can into a burner, a la CS gas chamber type device.  Venture forth into the garage with your punctured can,  place lit candle on concrete floor,  can goes over candle,  and place small fingernail size piece of camphor on top (which is actually the bottom of the upside down can).  Have the good wife stand in the vicinity of the fumes and it does miraculous things for uncooperative sinuses.

For those who have gray hair..

HEIMSTREET'S

Inimitable Hair Restorative.

IT IS NOT A DYE,

But restores gray hair to its original color, by supplying the capillary tubes with natural sustenance, impaired by age or disease. All instantaneous dyes are composed of lunar caustic, destroying the vitality and beauty of the hair, and afford of themselves no dressing. Heimstreet's Inimitable Coloring not only restores hair to its natural color by an easy process, but gives the hair a Luxuriant Beauty, promotes its growth, prevents its falling off, eradicates dandruff, and imparts health and pleasantness to the head. It has stood the test of time, being the original Hair Coloring, and is constantly increasing in favor. Used by both gentlemen and ladies. It is sold by all respectable dealers, or can be procured by them of the commercial agent, D. S. Barnes, 202 Broadway, N.Y. Two sizes, 50c. and $1.

BOSWELL & WARNER'S

Colorific.

New and valuable article for changing the color of grey, red, or white hair to a beautiful brown or black—without trouble, loss of time, or the use of wash or preparation. It leaves the hair soft and glossy—invigorates and promotes the growth of the hair. Try it, and you will use no other. WHOLESALE DEPOT, FUNSTON & SCOFIELD, 62 John Street, N. Y. Sold by RUSHTON, cor. Broadway, VICTOR LAINES, cor. Chambers and Chatham, and Hair Dressing Establishments generally.

These guys will make a fortune from today's reenacting community alone!
What is the zip code for 202 Broadway? ...I want to send in my order right away!
Julio

A Bad Breath,—The Greatest Curse the human family is heir to. How many lovers it has separated—how many friends forever parted. The subject is so delicate, your nearest friend will not mention it, and you are ignorant of the fact. To effect a radical cure, use the "BALM OF THOUSAND FLOWERS" as a dentrifice, night and morning. It also beautifies the complexion, removing all tan, pimples, and freckles, leaving the skin soft and white. Price 50 cents. For sale by all druggists. The Trade supplied by HOWARD, SANGER & CO., 105 and 107 Chambers Street, N. Y., and for sale by all Druggists.

http://www.sonofthesouth.net/leefoundation/civil-war/1863/november/advertisements.htm

Toothpaste and acne cream in one container...how convenient.

I wonder if it can suck the pus out of an abcessed tooth while leaving your zits minty fresh?

Will That magic Stuff remove the bags under my eyes and that unsightly and unwanted ear and nose hair?
I will take a quart.

Com. Sgt. Dan Girton , Co. A   6th Ohio

Quote :

I wonder if it can suck the pus out of an abcessed tooth while leaving your zits minty fresh?

A nice piece of salt meat will handle half of that quest.

Quote :

Charles Heath wrote : A nice piece of salt meat will handle half of that quest.

I never knew salt meat could leave zits minty fresh!  

Quote :

Charles Heath wrote   but can camphor even be purchased at neighborhood drug stores anymore? I don't mean the chain stores, which are more like five and dimes, but real drug stores.

Sounds like I need to  get your shopping list and build a care package for you--camphor, alum, waterglass, wintergreen, sulfer,.....you name it, its on the shelf in little brown bottles at my local independent drug store.  

Gal who owns it is slightly younger than I am, and has a son in pharamacy school,  so there is hope for the world.  Stuff there is a little bit higher than other places, but then, she unlocked that store on Christmas Day for me about 20 years ago and filled a prescrïption the doc had called in for my daughter.