Own your very own piece of dark American medical history! This intricately designed glass bottle, dating from the early 1900s, once contained the infamous patent medicine Mrs. Winslow's Soothing Syrup.
 
Mrs. Winslow's Soothing Syrup was supposedly developed by Charlotte Winslow of Maine in the 1840s. It was first marketed commercially by her son-in-law Jeremiah Curtis and his associate Benjamin Perkins in 1849. The words "CURTIS & PERKINS PROPRIETORS" are raised on the side of the bottle.
 
While Mrs. Winslow's Soothing Syrup was sold as a safe and effective remedy for fussy children (it was said to freshen breath, clean teeth, relieve constipation, and calm teething children), it became infamously known for its tragic effects. The primary ingredients in the syrup were dangerous levels of morphine and alcohol. Unsuspecting parents would give their children strong doses of the "medicine" without realizing how dangerous it was. Advertising materials at the time said that parents should give a teaspoonful of the syrup to their fussy infants. One teaspoonful was estimated to be the equivalent of 20 drops of laudanum, which is more than enough to poison and kill the average child. Because of this high dosage, the concoction was also highly addictive to infants. If the initial dose did not kill the child, the addiction or withdrawal likely would.
 
Mrs. Winslow's Soothing Syrup was sold in the United States until the 1930s. It was estimated that over 1.5 million bottles were sold annually. It is impossible to know how many children died as a result of this product.
 
This bottle, now empty, stands as a stark reminder of the medical practices of the past and the progress made since. Measuring approximately 5 inches in height, the bottle exhibits a beautiful patina that highlights its age and historical significance. The label's faded text and intricate design give a glimpse into the marketing of the time, promising relief with a soothing blend that, unfortunately, included dangerous levels of morphine and alcohol.
 
This bottle is an ideal find for collectors of medical antiques, historical memorabilia, or those interested in the evolution of pharmaceutical practices. Its presence evokes both the curiosity and caution of a time when remedies were as much about hope as they were about their actual efficacy.