Patent Medicine Display Case
The term "Patent Medicines" is a misnomer in the United States, as "patent" refers to the "patents of royal favor" granted in England and carried over to the United States. These medicines, light in weight, slight in bulk and high in value (and often alchol) were ideal in the days of poor transportation. Many had their background in old folk cures. Patent Medicines were common, as the treatment with "regular" medicine was often trial-and-error and the "advertising doctors" (purveyors of patent medicines) would claim to diagnose and prescribe more specifically, without even seeing the patient. Finally, in 1906, the federal government enacted the Food and Drugs Act which placed some restraint upon the nostrum peddlers. The act was later amended, broadened and strengthened. From "One For A Man, Two For A Horse" by Gerald Carson.
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