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
*******************************
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.
