Outlandish Old-Timey Cold and Flu Cures (PHOTOS) | The Weather Channel
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Cold and Flu

An advertisement for a 'Carbolic Smoke Ball' to cure colds, headaches, asthma etc with testimonials from famous people, circa 1880.

ByAnnie HauserJanuary 29, 2014

You Won't Believe These Cold Cures


CIRCA 1850: English advertising poster of the beek stock Bovril, remedy energizer against colds and chills. End of the XIXth century. (Photo by Pierre Jahan/Roger Viollet/Getty Images)

(Pierre Jahan/Roger Viollet/Getty Images)



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Bleeding, leeches, induced vomiting — the late 18th and early 19th centuries were rife with gruesome cures for seasonal colds and the influenza virus.


By the mid 19th century, these treatments were known not to work. But a new crop of potentially dangerous medical remedies popped up in their place.


From inhaling poisonous fumes to placing a silk thread across one’s throat (to prevent sickness), the cold and flu remedies of the late 1800s ranged from completely ineffective to just plain dangerous.

Click through to see some of the weirdest cold cures sold during this time — and get tips from Jorge Parada, MD, an associate professor of infectious disease at the Loyola University Stritch School of Medicine, on what really works.

NEXT: Chicken Soup for a Cold?




Bovril Beef Stock Supplement


An advertisement for a cold-curing supplement called Bovril, which was made from beef stock, along with a 19th century depiction of an influenza patient. (Universal History Archive/UIG/Getty Images)


Above, an advertisement for a cold-curing supplement called Bovril, which was made from beef stock, along with a 19th century depiction of an influenza patient.

Drinking beef broth sounds like it’s in the same vein as the classic chicken soup cure, Dr. Parada said. In the 19th century, when many people were malnourished, chicken soup would improve their nutritional status, and make them feel better, he said.

“Today, there’s limited credence to this idea,” he said. “Improving your nutritional status when you’re sick is good. But studies on whether there are specific factors in chicken soup that help you recover from an illness are mixed.”

Fluids and good nutrition while you’re under the weather certainly can help you recover faster — and prevent colds in the first place, he added.

NEXT: Poison for Sale




Carbolic Smoke Balls


Above, an advertisement for a 'Carbolic Smoke Ball' to cure colds, headaches, asthma etc with testimonials from famous people, circa 1880.


These rubber balls were sold full of carbolic acid, which emitted smoke to inhale to relieve congestion. Shortly after this 1880s advertisement, carbolic acid was discovered to be highly poisonous.

Today, it’s well known to be toxic when swallowed or absorbed through the skin, Dr. Parada said, so it’s definitely not something you would want to inhale. The origin of this cold cure probably goes back to the British surgeon Joseph Lister, who used carbolic acid to disinfect surgical tools with positive results. “But as soon as he came up with better tools, carbolic acid was set aside,” Dr. Parada explained.

Inhaling hot vapors, such as steam, can help you with your cold, however. “Inhaling hot water vapor tends to moisturize the airway, and make it easier to break up secretions,” Dr. Parada said. “A good, hot shower can help clear our lungs.”

NEXT: Coal Tar to Inhale?




Vapo-Cresolene


Advertisement for Vapo Cresolene to cure ailments such as whooping cough, croup, asthma, bronchitis, diphtheria and catarrh by The Vapo Cresolene Company (New York), 1900.


This supplement was meant to be inhaled to clear lung congestion — like the original Vicks Vapor Rub.

Except that is was made from coal tar. “Like carbonic acid, it is a poison if it gets inside of you,” Dr. Parada said. Today, coal derivatives are still used in dandruff and eczema shampoos and other skin products, though “it’s not something that would be a good idea to inhale,” he said.

It's important to note that infants and toddlers absorb more through their skin than older children and adults, so topical medicines should not necessarily be used on them, Dr. Parada said.

NEXT: Children's Cough Medicine




O-Poi-Zo Cough Syrup


(Buyenlarge/Getty Images)


An advertisement circa 1900 for a cherry flavored child's cough medicine with a guarantee. This small cardboard sign would be placed in pharmacy windows. 

If your cough and cold turns into a fever, it's time to seek medical attention, Dr. Parada said. Fever can often mean its the influenza virus, which can be treated with antiviral medications. But its important to note that these antivirals really only work within the first 72 hours — so seeking medical attention as soon as possible if you believe you have the flu is essential.

NEXT: Early Alka-Seltzer




Salt Regal


A 19th century advertisement for a supplement called Salt Regal meant to prevent influenza. (Universal History Archive/UIG/Getty Images)

(Universal History Archive/UIG/Getty Images)


When mixed with water, Salt Regal formed a pink, fizzy drink that promised to prevent all kinds of illnesses. It was most popular between 1887 and the end of the century, when consumers decided it didn't really work, according to thequackdoctor.com. Advertisements never really specified what was actually in the product, according to The Quack Doctor.

NEXT: Silk Bands to Ward Off Illness




The Egyptian Throat Band


Advertisement for Egyptian throat bands to cure croup, coughs and bronchitis by the Egyptian Manufacturing Company (Grand Rapids, Michigan), 1901. (Jay Paull/Getty Images)


This outlandish remedy is a simple silk band for the potential patient to drape across his or her through to prevent croup — a loud, barking cough, usually caused by a virus, that is common in infants and children.

"The Egyptian Throat Band is a positive preventive and cure for croup, coughs and bronchitis," the advertisement reads. "It is a fine silk band medication with a powder long in use in the Orient."

To prevent colds, do what your grandmother always said, Dr. Parada suggested. Wash your hands, cover your mouth when you cough or sneeze, and make sure you eat lots of fruits and vegetables, or take an occasional multivitamin, throughout cold and flu season. 

NEXT: Cough Drops for Commandos




Potter's Catarrh Pastilles


Potter 's Catarrh Pastilles, circa World War II. It reads, 'Commando catches cold.' Manufactured by Potter and Clarke Ltd, London. (Culture Club/Getty Images)


These oral drops contain menthol, which can help clear congestion. (They're still on sale today in the U.K.)

In this 1942 advertisement, they're marketed toward soldiers to prevent catarrh, which is a build up of mucus characterized by a bad cold.

Menthol can have a soothing effect, Dr. Parada said. But it doesn't cure the cause of your cold, he warned.

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