Tuesday, September 27, 2011

Vintage Dr. Thomas' Eclectric Oil - The Original Ben Gay?

Sometime during the 1840's Dr. Thomas' Eclectric Oil emerged onto the scene as a liniment and a cure for whatever ailed you - everything from a toothache to a bunyon.  It contained:

Spirits of Turpentine
Camphor
Oil of Tar
Red Thyme
Fish Oil

  Often these "medicines" were sold at carnivals and fairs, but we now know them as "snake oils".

  Ben Gay is a product we have all heard of and is very likely sitting in your medicine cabinet right now - compare some of the ingredients of Ben Gay to the ingredients of Dr. Thomas's Eclectric Oil:

menthol 
camphor 
carbomer
  isopropyl alcohol
castor oil
sodium hydroxide 

Very interesting, don't you think?  Well, whatever works I guess!

Actually, Ben Gay was developed in France and brought to America in 1898.

Not sure if Dr. Thomas's Eclectric Oil worked or not but I sure love these trade cards with the kitties for his product!



Click on image to download


Click on image to download 

Enjoy!



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