MD'S, QUACKS, AND POWWOW DOCTORS
In the Pennsylvania Dutch world medicine was, as in America in general, divided three ways, into standard professional medicine at the top; folk or traditional healing practices such as "powwowing" at the bottom; and in the middle, the burgeoning 19th-century area of "patent medicine." Our broadsides illustrate all three of these categories.
GOLD-TINCTURE. This "sure cure for all young and adult persons of both sexes" was sold by the German apothecary George K. Schmitt of Philadelphia, one of the many German apothecaries (Deutsche Apotheker) in Southeastern Pennsylvania who advertised their products in the German newspapers and hired agents in upstate localities to sell their wares. Schmitt's modest business developed into the international pharmaceutical company Glaxo-Smith-Kline.
GEYER'S VEGETABLE HAIR RESTORATIVE. For one dollar, those who were anxious about the color of their hair, dandruff flakes, or baldness could purchase a bottle of Henry Geyer's "truly valuable" hair preparation.
DR. RICHARDS' INDIAN VEGETABLE OIL BLOOD SEARCHER. Purveyors of patent medicines often incorporated images of the American Indian to capitalize on their legendary reputation as healers. This example was printed by Owen’s Steam Press in Reading, between 1850 and 1865. (facsimile)
DR. LAROCHE'S RHEUMATIC PILLS. Patent medicines that circulated in the Pennsylvania Dutch Country and in early America in general were either native concoctions or, like Dr. Laroche's rheumatic pills, imported remedies sold by local agents such as Dr. Lechleitner of Lancaster. This broadside accompanied the box of pills when sold. In addition to providing instructions for use, it also included testimonials from as far away as Lyons, France, and as near as New Holland, Pennsylvania.
GEORGE MENNIG'S CURE FOR ERYSIPELAS ("WILD FIRE"). George Mennig (1773-1833) was a controversial Lutheran country preacher traversing the wilds of Schuylkill County after 1800. Not only is this broadside one of the earliest printed powwow charms, but it is also concrete proof that an ordained Protestant minister practiced powwowing – traditional healing. Pastor Mennig's cure for erysipelas (a skin infection) involved stroking the affected part of a patient's body three times, while each time chanting "Wild Fire, flee, flee, flee! The red string chases you away."
DR. STOY'S CURE FOR RABIES. Wilhelm Stoy (1726-1801) was a distinguished Reformed clergyman, M.D., and state legislator based in the town of Lebanon. His popular treatments, often pirated, included cures for hysteria and hydrophobia. His widely circulated cure for rabies was used even by Washington's army. After his death, Stoy's widow Rebecca continued to print and sell the broadsides. Both examples shown here date from the 1840s to the 1860s.
