This document summarizes various medicines and remedies from the late 19th and early 20th century that contained harmful or addictive substances like heroin, cocaine, opium, chloroform, and cannabis. It shows advertisements and instructions for products containing these substances that were used to treat conditions in children and adults like coughs, asthma, pain, and more. The document suggests people in the past were often unaware of the addictive nature and dangers of these substances that were common in medicines at that time.

1. Why our great grandparents were sooo happy...
Old time remedies packed a potent punch!

2. Yep, that’s Bayer’s Heroin!
Between 1890 and 1910 heroin
was sold as a non-addictive
substitute for morphine.
It was also used to treat children.
suffering with a cough.

3. Cocaine Wine? Yep.
Mariani wine (1875) was the
most famous coca wine of
it's time.
“Fortifies ad refreshes body
& brain. Restores health and
vitality.”
Looks like those ladies are
having a party.

4. Yep, that’s cocaine wine!
Metcalf's Coca Wine was one of a
huge variety of wines with cocaine
on the market.
Use only as directed on the label:
“Metcalf's Coca Wine has been
found useful for children, elderly
people, and convalescents.”
Testimonials (from the label):
“Public speakers, singers, and
actors have found wine of coca to
be a valuable tonic..."

5. Yep, that’s the Pope
pushing cocaine wine!
Pope Leo XIII used to carry
one bottle with him all the
time. He awarded Angelo
Mariani (the producer) with
a Vatican gold medal.
Ad from 1875.

6. Directions: Take a full glass with or after every meal.
Note: Children should only take half a glass.

7. Yep, that’s opium
for asthma!
At 50 cents a bottle and
40% alcohol plus 3 grams
of opium per tablet, it
didn't cure you, but
somehow you didn't
care.

8. Cocaine tablets - with menthol! (1900)
All stage actors, singers, teachers, and preachers had to have
them for a maximum performance.
Great to 'smooth' the voice.

9. Cocaine toothache drops.
Not only did it instantly cure the pain, it made kids happy!
Ad from 1885.

10. Yep, opium and alcohol for newborns!
It probably did promote sleep for babies and for the adults
who took their “1 teaspoonful!”

11. Yep, morphine for teething pain!
At 65 mg of morphine per fluid ounce, it most probably did
ease the pain.

12. Yep, cherry flavored
morphine for coughs and
colds!
Apparently this cherry flavored
concoction of morphine or
heroin could “cure all diseases of
the throat and lungs.”

13. Yep, for that
stubborn cough:
heroin!
The “problem has been
solved” by a mixture of
heroin and glycerin.
"No other preparation
has had its therapeutic
value more thoroughly
defined or better
established.”

14. Yep, cigarettes for asthma!
“Not recommended for children
under 6.”
These cigarettes with unknown
contents claimed to provide
temporary relief of everything
from asthma to colds, canker
sores and bad breath.
“Dr. Batty” indeed!

15. Yep, a little bit of everything!
Check out those ingredients: codeine, chloroform, and cannabis.
What? No alcohol? But don’t worry:“Cosadein is available in 16-
fluid-ounce bottles, also in gallons.”

16. Yep, marijuana for - just about
anything!
Contains “Extract Indian Hemp”
Good for: “Sleeplessness, Hysteria,
Dysmenorrhoea, Spasms, Epilepsy,
Neuralgia and allied Affections and
Functional Nervous Disorders.
Stops Menstrual Pains Promptly ~
Induces Natural and Refreshing Sleep
Suggested for Dysmenorrhoea and
ailments requiring a reliable Hypnotic.”
“Dose to be repeated at intervals until
desired result is obtained.”

17. Time for a Coke!
Ad circa 1886:
“This ‘Intellectual Beverage’
and Temperance Drink
contains the valuable Tonic
and Nerve Stimulant
properties of the Coca
plant... a cure for all nervous
affections - sick head-ache,
neuralgia, hysteria,
melancholy, &c.”

18. shared at
65+ ain’t what it used to be.