As I was researching everyday life in the 19th century, I ran across some interesting articles that were actually advertisement for "Dr. Pierce's Golden Medical Discovery Pills," Dr. Pierce's Favorite Prescription Tablets," and Dr. Pierce's Pleasant Pellets" which were peddled for all sorts of "female ailments" like hysteria, fatigue and menstruation pains.
Today over the counter medication is a huge business and set to exceed $178 billion by 2024. It is also readily available and highly regulated.
In the 19th century, unregulated secret formulas such as the above-mentioned patent medication were also substantial money makers.
In the 19th century, unregulated secret formulas such as the above-mentioned patent medication were also substantial money makers.
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A graduate of The Eclectic Medical College of Cincinnati in 1862, Dr. Pierce had the ability to market and sell his medicines by describing illnesses and their symptoms with medical terminology. Many of his elixirs contained opium until the mid-1890s.
Pierce promoted his concoctions through his book, "The People's Common Sense Medical Advisor," which was primarily an advertisement for his products and included testimonials from patients whose claims of cures convinced millions of people to try his remedies.
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Dr. Pierce's Book sold more than two million copies by 1907.
The "Dream Book" was one such advertisement that intermingled articles among the cure-all claims which included dream interpretations and bridal superstitions like this:
How To Tell Whether You Will Marry Soon
At the table, if two spoons are accidentally put down together, there will soon be a wedding in the family. If by chance, an unmarried woman or a bachelor be placed between a married couple at supper, that person will soon become engaged. A strange white pigeon flying near a house is a sign that someone there will be married within a year. To see a caged bird in one's dream indicates a forthcoming wedding.
Watch Your Step
Between the calling of the banns and the wedding, the spirits of evil and envy are said to have great power. Therefore at this time the engaged couple should guard against a lovers' quarrel, exercise caution when going downstairs, not to stumble, and they should not be photographed together.
It's the Big Day
On no account should a bride or a bridegroom be handed a telegram on the way to church. The bride must be careful when leaving the church to put her right foot first. It is deemed most unfortunate for a bride to make the first step into the new world with the left foot. To have an unequal number of guests at the wedding breakfast or supper is unlucky.
When to tie the knot
Even before you start following the preceding instructions to a tee, you should ensure that you pick a particularly auspicious date. Here's a helpful guide.
January—If married in January, the wife will live longer than her husband.
February—In February, domestic happiness will prevail.
March—In March, the couple will eventually make their home abroad.
April—The April bride very decidedly rules the roost.
May—May is considered unlucky for weddings.
June—June is an exceptionally lucky month and promises lasting love to its bridal couples.
July—July marriages are apt to be crisscrossed with sunshine and shadow.
August—August is noted for its ideally mated couples.
September—September marriages run a smooth, congenial course.
October—October, either love or money will be lacking in the future for those who join hands this month.
November—November promises prosperity.
December—December a life full of love.
In my first novel Rebecca's Hope, I introduced colorful characters and innovative young women in a western town during the same time period as the famous patent-medicine wizard, Dr. Pierce.
Lois's Risk is a continuation of the story of a young woman, who has been schooled to be proper, lady-like, honest, to clean, sew and cook so at the appropriate age she would marry.
As an adult, she surpassed her father's expectations with her skills and beauty only to shatter them when she opens a dress shop. She's worked hard making a success of her business. Now the handsome bank owner has come calling. So why isn't she happy? Moreover, why can't she forget about a certain farmer with big brown eyes?
Can she summon the courage to take another risk and tell the man she loves how she feels?
Lois's Risk is available to read for free on Kindle Unlimited.
How To Tell Whether You Will Marry Soon
At the table, if two spoons are accidentally put down together, there will soon be a wedding in the family. If by chance, an unmarried woman or a bachelor be placed between a married couple at supper, that person will soon become engaged. A strange white pigeon flying near a house is a sign that someone there will be married within a year. To see a caged bird in one's dream indicates a forthcoming wedding.
Watch Your Step
Between the calling of the banns and the wedding, the spirits of evil and envy are said to have great power. Therefore at this time the engaged couple should guard against a lovers' quarrel, exercise caution when going downstairs, not to stumble, and they should not be photographed together.
It's the Big Day
On no account should a bride or a bridegroom be handed a telegram on the way to church. The bride must be careful when leaving the church to put her right foot first. It is deemed most unfortunate for a bride to make the first step into the new world with the left foot. To have an unequal number of guests at the wedding breakfast or supper is unlucky.
When to tie the knot
Even before you start following the preceding instructions to a tee, you should ensure that you pick a particularly auspicious date. Here's a helpful guide.
January—If married in January, the wife will live longer than her husband.
February—In February, domestic happiness will prevail.
March—In March, the couple will eventually make their home abroad.
April—The April bride very decidedly rules the roost.
May—May is considered unlucky for weddings.
June—June is an exceptionally lucky month and promises lasting love to its bridal couples.
July—July marriages are apt to be crisscrossed with sunshine and shadow.
August—August is noted for its ideally mated couples.
September—September marriages run a smooth, congenial course.
October—October, either love or money will be lacking in the future for those who join hands this month.
November—November promises prosperity.
December—December a life full of love.
In my first novel Rebecca's Hope, I introduced colorful characters and innovative young women in a western town during the same time period as the famous patent-medicine wizard, Dr. Pierce.Lois's Risk is a continuation of the story of a young woman, who has been schooled to be proper, lady-like, honest, to clean, sew and cook so at the appropriate age she would marry.
As an adult, she surpassed her father's expectations with her skills and beauty only to shatter them when she opens a dress shop. She's worked hard making a success of her business. Now the handsome bank owner has come calling. So why isn't she happy? Moreover, why can't she forget about a certain farmer with big brown eyes?
Can she summon the courage to take another risk and tell the man she loves how she feels?
Lois's Risk is available to read for free on Kindle Unlimited.
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07LDDHVQV/
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