I have always been fascinated by the turn of the 20th Century living. When librarian-poet, Diane Mayr, posted her topic for Day 22 of Laura Shovan's 9th Annual February Poetry Project, I immediately started to research what medicine was like during past eras. As a collector of antique and vintage items, I was eager to find out more about Lydia E. Pingham and her vegetable compound. While digging into more articles, I started reminiscing on research-based projects on daily life in New York State that I offered students. The goal of one of the cross-curricular mini-units was to recreate an old-fashioned apothecary counter filled with antique medicine bottles for a county-wide celebration. The elementary building I worked in became a living village featured as a stop on the county tour.
Castor Oil
Spirit of Figs
Cod Liver Oil
Blood Purifier
Bottles weathered
By time
Lined the shelves
Each promising
A dose of health
For human ailments.
Strong medicinal smells
Led curious minds to uncover
Quackery or modern miracles.
©CV, 2021
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Today is Slice of Life Tuesday at Two Writing Teachers.
Join me as I gear up for Day 23's daily poetry prompt
and the March SOLSC #SOL21 Challenge.
I had to laugh as I looked at this list of folk remedies. My OB-GYN (old school guy) had me take castor oil to try to induce labor with my firstborn. All it did was give me diarrhea. What fun for students to create a living village from the past.
ReplyDeleteWhat a story! Diarrhea is not a good by product when you are ready to deliver. It is amazing how old remedies were embraced as modern miracles. Have a great time at your Root Tech Conference. I did register just so I could see sessions in the future at my own time. Thanks, Ramona.
DeleteThe connections your post brings go little further back than 20th century: a medieval pharmacy is a tourist (once they were here) attraction in Tallinn. One of the famous Estonian book series (now made into a movie) is about a pharmacist detective in Medieval Tallinn. One more: when I had a foreign exchange student living with us thirty years ago and he got a temperature, my mom made him vodka socks.
ReplyDeleteI love the facts that you shared with me, Terje.
DeleteLove this list, Carol. Weren't leeches used for things as well? Was castor oil a cure all for many ailments?
ReplyDeleteYes, leeches were used as disgusting as that was. I remember my Nonnie promoting Castor oil. I ran away from the spoon when that was mentioned.
DeleteI can smell that scent-sharp and a bit herbal. I never had to take castor oil, thank goodness!
ReplyDeleteA tried out a recipe from my childhood today. Sinus drip and slight cough can be remedied with a spoonful of honey (reminds me of Sound of Music-a spoonful of sugar).
DeleteI so loved learning the backstory that came along with Diane's prompt. It shifted my thinking about quack medicines and feminism.
ReplyDelete