Antique Medicine Bottles Dr Cannon's Medicine Chest

ANOTHER "PATENT MEDICINE ARTICLE" FROM THE PAGES OF

ANTIQUE BOTTLE AND GLASS COLLECTOR MAGAZINE

THE MAGAZINE OF THE ANTIQUE BOTTLE COLLECTING HOBBY

antique bottles THE MEDICINE CHEST --- BY DR. RICHARD CANNON old bottles

Witch Hazel has been used as an astringent, which condenses and coagulates the tissues to arrest discharges, sedative, and tonic. It is prepared from the leaves and bark of the Hamamelis Virginica tree, also known as the pistachio, snapping hazel, spotted alder, striped alder, wood tobacco, and winter bloom. Witch Hazel has been rubbed on piles, skin disorders, and joints, and has been consumed for sore throat, bronchial discharges, diarrhea, and uterine hemorrhages. It has also been used to "soothe" the nerves and "tone" the system.

Haswell’s Witch

Hazel Cream.

Frederick Humphreys, M.D.

Humphrey’s Marvel

Witch Hazel.

I find two embossed "witch hazels" on my shelves: Haswell’s / Witch Hazel Cream, clear, rectangular with beveled corners, 5 1/2 inches tall, also known in aqua; and Humphreys’ / Marvel / Witch Hazel in a circle, clear, oval, 7 3/8 inches tall.
Wm. S. Haswell first patented Haswell’s Blood and Liver Pills on October 12, 1880, in Georgetown, Colorado. On October 13, 1885, he patented London Balm in Denver, Colorado. Coca-Phosphates was patented May 18, 1886, and Haswell’s Witch Hazel Cream, February 22, 1887, in Denver. I’ve not found further information about Haswell or his remedies in my reference materials. Ironically, my Haswell’s was purchased several years ago from an antique dealer in Georgetown, Colorado.

Human Homeopathics; embossed amber square

bottles changed to clear round vials about 1900.

Veterinary Homeopathic bottles.

Frederick Humphrey’s, M.D., was born March 11, 1816, in Marcellus, New York, and established Doctor Humphreys’ Specific Homeopathic Medicine Company in Auburn, NY, about 1844. Humphreys also carried on a private practice and served as Professor of Homeopathic Materia Medical at the State Medical College. The business became incorporated as Humphreys Homeopathic Medicine Co. in 1854 in New York City. The addresses were 562 Broadway in 1857, 109 Fulton in 1877, and later, the corner of William and Ann Streets. By 1890, the address was 61-65 John St.
Homeopathy is the medical system which seeks to cure disease by giving the patient minute doses of drugs which produce symptoms similar to those of the disease on the theory that the symptoms reveal nature’s effort to combat the disease. It originated in 1796, by a German physician Samuel Hahnemann. Humphreys’ was a business of homeopathic family remedies augmented by a line of homeopathic veterinary medicines. The business flourished. Products for human consumption were numbered: #2-Worms; #3-Teething, Colic, and Crying; #20-Whooping Cough; #30-Bed Wetting; #34-Diphtheria; etc. Veterinary items were lettered: D-Worms; F-Colic; etc. Witch Hazel products were added along the way: Marvel Of Healing; Marvel Witch Hazel; and Witch Hazel Oil. Marvel Of Healing advertising indicates that it was fluid witch hazel prepared by Dr. Humphreys from a recipe used by him for 20 years. It was probably for internal use. Witch Hazel Oil was for external conditions such as injuries to the skin and joints, hemorrhoids, etc.

Marvel of Healing bottle; came

in 6oz., pints, and quarts

Marvel Witch Hazel ad.

Witch Hazel Oil trade card.

In 1940 the name became Humphreys’ Medicine Co., and in the 1960s it was relocated in Rutherford, NJ. The name changed to Humphreys’ Pharmacal Inc. in 1968, and was still doing business in 1983.
Ever heard of "witching for water"? I did growing up in the Texas hill country. The "witcher" took a freshly cut Y shaped branch and headed out. The place where the part he wasn’t holding dipped down was the spot to dig for a well. Maybe the Hamamelis Virginica was used for this "magic" too.....

References:
1. Agee, B.: Humphreys’ Homeopathic Specifics,
Old Bottle Magazine, July 1974
2. Bingham, A.W. The Snake Oil Syndrome, 1994
3. Druggist’s Hand-Book of Medicinal Roots, Barks,
Herbs, Flowers, & C.G.S. Cheney, Co. 1900
4. Fike, R: The Bottle Book, 1987
5. Humphrey, W.: Humphrey’s Homeopathic Specifics,
Old Bottle Magazine, December 1972
6. McGuire, E: Bottled Products and the U.S. Patent
Office, 1991
7. Pierce, R.V.: The People’s Common Sense Medical
Advisor, 1895

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