Guy on the top would not use Neuralgine. (1901)
Other image here from the US NIH history archives about the product. This one promises that Neuralgine contains no morphine, opium, or cocaine.
So what does it contain? They didn't have to tell you, back then.
12 replies
Ah, I am a druggist and I happen to have this in my druggist box.
No morphine, opium, or cocaine? No thanks.
No morphine, opium and cocaine, because it already has codeine?
There’s no official record of its composition but it was theorized to contain acetanilide, caffeine, and sodium salicylate.
Acetanilide and caffeine meant it probably did work really well, but the downsides were cancer, cyanosis, and liver and kidney damage…
As the years went on, it was believed acetanilide was metabolized into acetaminophen aka paracetamol.
Paracetamol, Caffeine, and Aspirin are the effective ingredients for a very effective headache medicine in America. Neuralgine was likely Excedrin before Bayer.
https://americanhistory.si.edu/collections/object/nmah_1216339
Seems like it was this in it. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Acetanilide
Jesus.
They're so coy about it.
"You have a nice compelling argument! Unfortunately for you I have already drawn this caricature of you being weak and ugly while I am strong and attractive! Better luck next time!"
HARRY, NO!
what an idiot