Traveling "Hawkers" Sold Tonics
Tonics were "cure-alls"
It's always interesting what we find in our archives!
When researching the Daughtery and Burnett family, we found a copy of a story in the Buffalo County Republican in Wisconsin, The story is dated June 11, 1895.
The story was a testimony by G. Jacob Sexauer who had taken Gloria Tonic and was so excited about his recovery that he wanted to share his good news.
"About 33 years ago while working in a moist field, I contracted Rheumatism, which in course of time grew very painful and distressing. During all these years, I eagerly sought a cure, but after using everything I heard of such as: liniments, electricity, Turkish baths, etc., and above all uselessly employing 7 physicians, I considered myself incurable, especially so, when the last attending physician told me, that he would not accept any more money from me, as the case was beyond the human grasp. At this time I happened to read a small advertisement in my church paper regarding "Gloria Tonic" which was claimed to be an infallible cure for Rheumatism. I admit, that from my experiments with other remedies, I had but very little faith; besides my family urged that I should not try anymore. About this time a growth appeared on my right arm, causing me additional agony, and I finally concluded to try "Gloria Tonic" and after a systematic use of this great remedy, I finally cured myself of 33 years of suffering."
The tonic was made by the John A. Smith Co. of Oconomowoc, Wisconsin. Mr. Sexauer was asked three years later for a testimonial. He replied:
"In answer to your recent inquiry, I would say, I willingly give you the permission to publish my testimonial. Can you imagine a man 72 years old, who has suffered all that I have suffered, today busily engaged in draining a farm. This I am able to do. Thanks to Gloria Tonic. I thank the lord every day for having directed me to Gloria Tonic. It would be very ungrateful for me not to endorse this wonderful remedy. However, you know, not for all the money in the world would I endorse anything that did not deserve praise."
Tonics and pills that were "cure-alls" were commonly sold in the late 1800s and early 1900s, sometimes by traveling wagons that stopped in town and "hawked" their products. Hundreds of potions were available and each was a "cure-all".
In 1862, a potion called Mixer's Cancer and Scrofula Syrup claimed to treat "cancer, tumors, erysipelas, abscesses, ulcers, fever sores, goiter, catarrh, salt rheum, scald head, piles, rheumatism and all blood diseases."
Some were potions medicines for female "complaints" was Lydia E. Pinkham's Vegetable Compound. Mrs. Winslow's Soothing Syrup was used to quiet crying babies and ease toddlers teething pains.
According to an article in WebMD, "Cocaine drops came on the market after doctors discovered its pain-relieving qualities. One Belgium company even promoted cocaine throat lozenges as "indispensable for singers, teachers, and orators. Dentists and surgeons also used cocaine as an anesthetic."
With new legislation passed in the early 1900s, the Federal Drug Administration prohibited adulteration or misbranding of foods and drugs, as well as false advertising. The Golden Age of patented medicines came to an end.
Compiled from WebMD, A Look Back at Old-Time Medicine
A testimony from Hon. G. Jacob Sexauer about Gloira Tonic
When researching the Daughtery and Burnett family, we found a copy of a story in the Buffalo County Republican in Wisconsin, The story is dated June 11, 1895.
The story was a testimony by G. Jacob Sexauer who had taken Gloria Tonic and was so excited about his recovery that he wanted to share his good news.
"About 33 years ago while working in a moist field, I contracted Rheumatism, which in course of time grew very painful and distressing. During all these years, I eagerly sought a cure, but after using everything I heard of such as: liniments, electricity, Turkish baths, etc., and above all uselessly employing 7 physicians, I considered myself incurable, especially so, when the last attending physician told me, that he would not accept any more money from me, as the case was beyond the human grasp. At this time I happened to read a small advertisement in my church paper regarding "Gloria Tonic" which was claimed to be an infallible cure for Rheumatism. I admit, that from my experiments with other remedies, I had but very little faith; besides my family urged that I should not try anymore. About this time a growth appeared on my right arm, causing me additional agony, and I finally concluded to try "Gloria Tonic" and after a systematic use of this great remedy, I finally cured myself of 33 years of suffering."
The tonic was made by the John A. Smith Co. of Oconomowoc, Wisconsin. Mr. Sexauer was asked three years later for a testimonial. He replied:
"In answer to your recent inquiry, I would say, I willingly give you the permission to publish my testimonial. Can you imagine a man 72 years old, who has suffered all that I have suffered, today busily engaged in draining a farm. This I am able to do. Thanks to Gloria Tonic. I thank the lord every day for having directed me to Gloria Tonic. It would be very ungrateful for me not to endorse this wonderful remedy. However, you know, not for all the money in the world would I endorse anything that did not deserve praise."
Tonics and pills that were "cure-alls" were commonly sold in the late 1800s and early 1900s, sometimes by traveling wagons that stopped in town and "hawked" their products. Hundreds of potions were available and each was a "cure-all".
In 1862, a potion called Mixer's Cancer and Scrofula Syrup claimed to treat "cancer, tumors, erysipelas, abscesses, ulcers, fever sores, goiter, catarrh, salt rheum, scald head, piles, rheumatism and all blood diseases."
Some were potions medicines for female "complaints" was Lydia E. Pinkham's Vegetable Compound. Mrs. Winslow's Soothing Syrup was used to quiet crying babies and ease toddlers teething pains.
According to an article in WebMD, "Cocaine drops came on the market after doctors discovered its pain-relieving qualities. One Belgium company even promoted cocaine throat lozenges as "indispensable for singers, teachers, and orators. Dentists and surgeons also used cocaine as an anesthetic."
With new legislation passed in the early 1900s, the Federal Drug Administration prohibited adulteration or misbranding of foods and drugs, as well as false advertising. The Golden Age of patented medicines came to an end.
Compiled from WebMD, A Look Back at Old-Time Medicine
A testimony from Hon. G. Jacob Sexauer about Gloira Tonic