In the 19th century, the medicine at your local drug store might have contained cocaine.
William H. Shepard sold this bottle of Jamaica Ginger in his pharmacy at 98 Washington St., the present location of Trove Marblehead.
Manufactured by two Boston pharmacists, Jamaica Ginger claimed to cure nausea and heartburn, and was one of hundreds of patent medicines, over-the-counter drugs that promised a cure for a long list of ailments.
In the age before drug regulations, patent medicines contained dangerous amounts of alcohol, cocaine or opium to help the medicine go down. These ingredients made patent medicines highly addictive, ensuring repeat customers.
Jamaica Ginger contained 20% cocaine. Another Shepard product, Chamberlain’s Diarrhea Remedy, contained 45% alcohol and 10% ether.
Shepard sold 125 brands of patent medicine in his pharmacy. Many treated what the Victorians called “female complaints” from headaches and hysteria to hot flashes and menstruation.
Marbleheaders stocked up on bottles of Lydia Pinkham’s Vegetable Compound, manufactured in Lynn and featuring Lydia’s face, who reassured her female customers that, “only a woman can understand women’s ills.” Her Vegetable Compound promised relief from menopause, with the aid of 20% alcohol.
The passage of the Pure Food and Drug Act of 1906 forced patent medicine companies to disclose their ingredients, and investigative journalists exposed the false advertising of companies who claimed their medicines cured all illness.
Shepard Pharmacy remained in the family after William’s death in 1934 and became a popular spot for ice cream. The pharmacy is featured on the Marblehead Museum’s Sick and Tired Tour, a walking tour on the history of health and medicine from the colonial era to World War I. Tours will be offered on Friday, June 27 at 7 p.m. and Saturday, June 28 at 10 a.m. and 1 p.m. For tickets, visit marbleheadmuseum.org or call 781-631-1768.
Jarrett Zeman is the assistant director of the Marblehead Museum. From the Vault is a regular segment highlighting an item from Marblehead Museum’s collection of more than 60,000 artifacts. Learn more and explore at marbleheadmuseum.org.
