Bottle (2012.001.208)
Bottle (2012.001.208)

Bottle, Medicine

Artifact
Identifier:
2012.001.208
Description
Bottle of Ayer's Cherry Pectoral. Aqua-coloured glass bottle with cork stopper. The bottle is rectangular with a long neck and a double-ring type applied finish. There is embossing on each side of the bottle with the manufacturer's information. The bottle contains a dark liquid.
Additional Information
Ayer's Cherry Pectoral was produced by Dr. J. C. Ayer & Co., in Lowell, MA beginning around 1865. Dr. James Cook Ayer was a qualified doctor, but did not practice medicine. Rather he focused on pharmaceutical chemistry and medicine production. He was one of the wealthiest patent medicine businessmen of his day.
Ayer's Cherry Pectoral was one of the earliest medicines developed and targeted at young people, and claimed to cure many deadly childhood afflictions such as whooping cough, influenza, consumption, and all diseases of the lungs and throat. The medicine contained small amounts of opioids, which was legal and fairly common practice at the time. The remedy received global praise, and was distributed to various parts of the world.
Date:
1870-1900
Creator:
Dr. J. C. Ayer's Co.
(manufacturer)