2 Antique Medicine Bottles Shilohs Consumption Cure Dr Thompsons Eye Water

Description

Pair of antique late 19th to early 20th century embossed medicine bottles for Shiloh's Consumption Cure (S.C. Wells & Co, Leroy, NY) and Dr Thompson's Eye Water (New London, Conni.). Clear glass with a pale blue tint. No lids or corks.

"In 1866, Schuyler C. Wells bought the huge building on Main Street, Leroy, NY, called Medical Hall and went into business with his brother-in-law, Dr. L.S. Hooker. This partnership lasted a short time and Wells sold his interest in the drug store and partnered with James Kneeland, under the name of Wells and Kneeland. They built a factory equipped with steam power and stamping presses. Wells sold two-thirds interest in this business for a sizeable price and shortly after, in 1870, Wells bought the formula to Dr. Brutus Shiloh's Consumption Cure. (Wells changed the name at various times. Shiloh’s Consumption Cure became Shiloh’s Consumption Remedy and eventually after pressure from critics and leading up to the Food and Drug Act of 1907 changed again to simple Shiloh’s Cure, dropping any reference to Consumption. However, in 1909, The Journal of the American Medical Association warned that it was still one of many medicines with “habit forming drugs" aka opiates.) In 1877, Wells built a four-story brick building on Church Street. In 1882, Wells sold one third interest in the business to his brother George Wells and the company became S.C. Wells & Company. Schuyler Wells died in 1897 and his son, who was always called "Carl" Wells took over the company and immediately began expanding the business. He purchased a number of other patent medicines: Hammond's King of Cures; Celery King Tea; Dr. Carter's K & B Tea and Dr. Fenner's Golden Relief and Dr. Fenner's Family Ointment. In 1924, wells purchased the rights to all of the Ramon's medicines and the "Little Doctor" became a part of the advertising. This purchase also included the rights to the Brownie Calendar - (which is still printed at the Pennysaver - the only remnant of the old Wells Company.) The last product purchased by Carl Wells was the Rough on Rats product, which was owned by E.S. Wells of Jersey City, New Jersey. After nearly 60 years as President of S.C. Wells & Company, Carl Wells retired on January 1st, 1963 and all the trademarks and recipes were purchased by James Marshall Hadley, who maintained the company until its sale to the Graysons." Source: LE ROY PENNYSAVER & NEWS - May 14, 2007 / eBay)

"In 1795, Dr Isaac Thompson concocted an eye water of zinc sulfate,saffron, camphor, and rose water. It was sold as late as 1939." (Source: JAMA Ophthalmology)

Condition

Good Overall - Gentle wear/residue

Dimensions

Large - 2" x 1" x 5.5" / Small - 1" x 4" (Width x Depth x Height)