Lotions, Potions, and Deadly Elixirs: Frontier Medicine in America

by Wayne Bethard

Powder papers, booty balls, and sugar tits— Lotions, Potions, and Deadly Elixirs has a cure for whatever ails! These quaint names were given to popular medicinal forms during America's frontier era that were said to cure everything from fallen arches to a broken windmill. Grandmas, mommas, and even certified physicians treated the sick, lame, and unlucky with what was available: barbed wire and horseshoe nails, cactus, pokeweed, buckeyes, you name it. Ironically, a lot of these homespun treatments actually worked. In Lotions, Potions, and Deadly Elixirs, a practicing pharmacist takes a light-hearted look at the most popular medicines from the frontier days and how they were intended to work. An authoritative "Frontier Materia Medica" lists common drugs, the dates they were in use, customary doses, and idiosyncrasies. The author's outstanding collection of bottle labels, advertising art, and rare photographs of "medicine shows" rounds out this colorful survey of America's medicinal past.

Genres: History, Nonfiction, History Of Medicine, Medical, Medicine

272 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 2004

Reviews

[Alex · Rating 1 out of 5]

This book tries to be too many things. It wants to be a catalog of personal remembrances, a reference guide, and a history. It did not succeed at being any of these things.

In the first section it describes the different classifications of medicine, for example "The Wets." Many of these descriptions include personal memories, some of which have absolutely nothing to do with the subject (such as the amount of lard his grandmother consumed, a paragraph tacked onto a sections about paints and tars). This is a common occurrence throughout the book. The subject matter also doesn't adequately reflect the title of the book, with numerous anecdotes taking place neither in the west nor on the frontier.

Another issue I had was simply the writing. The author will use uncommon words without explanation (or will add an explanation during the third use of the word three pages later), but will then give a strict definition of what a powder is -- albeit by using words like comminuted and triturated (also without explantion). He also sometimes gives a common name for a plant or parasite, but will then give only Latin names for the next two or three.

The author often uses bad grammar for atmosphere but only sporadically. The general structure and style was also problematic. In a few instances he relates his reaction to a story before telling the story, he refers to a woman who dressed as a man to join the army as a "woman impersonator,” doesn't seem to question most of the stories or anecdotes related to the cure-alls, and doesn't mention the placebo effect even once (while constantly wondering if these remedies worked as well as testimonials claimed). The tone is also frequently patronizing towards women and non-Caucasians.

The second half of the book purports to be a "materia medica" but continues to include random personal memories. Not to mention that there are many far more detailed compilations of herbs and folk remedies already in publication. It seems more likely that the author wanted to put together a book of interesting stories of early(ish) America with a vaguely medical theme, rather than a true history of patent medicine.

[Jennifer · Rating 5 out of 5]

I volunteer as a historical interpreter at a living history museum in a drug store set in the mid-1800s. This book was a very helpful reference guide! And a much easier read than some of the more "scholarly" journals that I usually reference.

[Doreva · Rating 3 out of 5]

I enjoyed this mix of storytelling and medical reference, but it may not be for everyone. I think doctors and pharmacists will enjoy it. There is a lot of Texas history in this book, for anyone interested in that topic.

[Kbarker · Rating 3 out of 5]

Interesting

Book was interesting but could only give it 3 stars. They had some crazy ideas for medicine on the frontier and it seems most of them worked by luck.

[Spock · Rating 3 out of 5]

Full of information and occasional good humor.

[Beth Cato · Rating 3 out of 5]

I read this for the sake of writing research. I found it to be somewhat useful yet disappointing. This book really seeks to fill a big void: medicine practices in the American pioneer. It's easy to find books on modern medicines and poisons, but there's a lot less on the period of the famed snake oil salesmen and curative mineral springs. The book's strongest section is the "Folk Medica Materia," where it alphabetically lists medicines and herbs (including things like dirt and cow manure, as they were utilized as well). It makes for fascinating reading. The color section in the middle is great and I love the use of period newspaper ads throughout.

However, a big chunk of the book is unfocused. Bethard has the voice of a storyteller--which is fine--but he goes off on tangents that are far too modern to be useful. Many of the remedies mentioned in the first section are not elaborated on in the Medica Materia or the index. If I didn't jot down notes as I read, I would have to skim the full book to find the data again. Overall it felt like the book needed stronger editing. It's not overflowing with typos but I did notice that "moot" was spelled "mute" twice.

Another major point is that the book is not marketed quite right. Its subtitle is "Frontier Medicine in the American West." In truth, it's mostly about Texas. The local history and plants mentioned also emphasize Texas. Bethard is speaking of his home, and he's obviously knowledgeable about it, but I was left frustrated. I bought the book because I wanted information on the full west, especially California. It didn't deliver.

I will keep this on my shelf because it does have some useful data, but I'll continue to look for a more complete resource.

[Luna · Rating 4 out of 5]

Aspects of the book seem slightly tangential but other then that and some randomly inserted colloquiallisms it is a rather pleasant read. Looking back to the origin of many medicines and medical practices (both questionable and valid) provides insight into current medicines and practices (both questionable and valid ones). The rating is partially influenced by entertainment considerations since the academic nature is somewhat lax.

[Teri Reck · Rating 3 out of 5]

A fascinating look at medicine on the frontier, and especially the pharmacology of what was used to treat illness in the early West. Many of the treatments actually were valid based on the chemistry of those substances. However, some also had little to no real effects. Pretty wild to think of a time when medication was not regulated. But the pioneers did what they could with what they had. An interesting read.

[LowCarbConfidential · Rating 3 out of 5]

Written by a 'down home Texas country pharmacist' interested in the history of frontier medicine. Well worth reading at least for the the listings of what were once considered 'medicinal compounds' - including bat guano. His love for the topic overcomes a lot of the flaws in the book.

[Denise · Rating 3 out of 5]

I was really drawn to this title as I know that many of the remedies from the past really did work. I thought this book was interesting and I did learn a few new things but it wasn't all that I had hoped for, therefore just a 3 star rating.

[Denise · Rating 2 out of 5]

A book about different plants, lotions, etc. and what they were used for in historical medicine. Some are still used. Interesting, but I wasn't as amused as the man who wrote the forward. People seem to think the author is funny; I saw some humor, but it was mostly dry writing.