Tag: Patent medicine

During the American Civil War, Thedford's Black Draught was a widely known patent medicine, consumed by soldiers and civilians alike for its strong laxative properties. This historical remedy, known for its dark color and potent cathartic effects, offers insight into the era of unregulated proprietary medicines and their eventual pharmacological evolution.

First introduced in 1887, Sal Hepatica became the first nationally recognized product for Bristol-Myers by 1903, serving as a household staple for decades [1.4.1]. Primarily, the answer to 'What is sal hepatica used for?' is that it functioned as a saline laxative for the relief of constipation [1.2.2].

Originally invented in 1848 by Dr. J. Collis Browne to treat cholera in India, Chlorodyne became one of the most famous patent medicines in the British Isles [1.7.1, 1.4.1]. This article explores the question: **what is Chlorodyne used for** and examines its controversial history.

During the 19th and early 20th centuries, millions of doses of an old black liquid medicine were consumed across America and Europe. The most famous version was Black Draught, a patent medicine used primarily as a potent laxative.