Object Record
Images
Metadata
Description |
During Little Compton’s diphtheria epidemic in 1877, Dr. George White of Adamsville invented a new remedy. "Dr. White’s Speciality, for Diphtheria" combined the bark from the cinchona tree, pepper and ipecac in alcohol. He claimed it was "a panacea for this distressing disease. It is also an excellent remedy for coughs, colds, or any affection of the throat." A teaspoonful of the tincture was administered every two hours to the afflicted. After the Pure Food and Drug Act was passed such claims were no longer allowed, and in 1915 a US court condemned Dr. White’s advertisement as "false and fraudulent." Such claims as "Specialty for Diphtheria . . .thousands of cases have been treated by it with a greater percentage of cures than from all other remedies combined" and "Dr. White’s Specialty, the best medicine in the world" were no longer acceptable according to the Secretary of Agriculture, since the drugs "had no such curative and therapeutic effect as set forth in said statements." The Frederick Brownell family purchased Dr. White’s recipes and continued to make his cold medicine and ointments as a way to supplement their farming income. Contributed by Katie Coggins Registrar's Notes: Rectangular black and white lithograph poster with advertisement for Dr. White's Specialties Dr. White’s Specialty Medicine. Cough Remedy and Ointment. Picture of older woman with gray feeding a dosage of medicine to a young boy by spoon. Two inset pictures of Dr. White's products in yellow. In black letters across upper portion of sign: "Old Fashioned / maybe... but Dependable / SINCE 1872". Along bottom is a section in black with white letters that reads: "Dr. White's Specialties / Cough Remedy and Ointment". Note found taped to object reads: "ADVERTISING SIGN IN PROVIDENCE / TROLLEY CARS IN THE 1930s". Sign is backed in 3/4" wood with piece of clear plastic nailed to top. |
Object Name |
Sign |
Catalog Number |
2007.3426 |
Date |
1930 |
Category |
6: T&E For Communication |
Sub-category |
Visual Communication T&E |
Material |
Paper, wood, tape, nails, plastic |
Provenance |
Note found taped to object reads: "ADVERTISING SIGN IN PROVIDENCE / TROLLEY CARS IN THE 1930s". |