Wigan Album

This was still available till relatively recently, certainly in the 1970's if not later. I can remember there being a tin at home when I was a kid, I seem to recall the substance resembled mustard in appearance! I think it could be bought in the old Market Hall and various herbalists that used to be in Wigan.

Samuel Cheetham had a shop at 25 Leigh Road, in 1910, wonder if he was the manufacturer?

You could not beat Fosters Paste, sold on the outside market.

It was said to be really Gradeley that ointment. I have a container of "Dog Oil", supposed to stop pain, no good for man nor dog.

According to the instructions it sounds like a case of Dr Do Good's Cold and Flu Pills . " Take four a day for a week to ten days and your cold should be gone"

Colin , was it Nathan Foster's Cir-cu Ro? Stood for certain cure.

I used to sell Cercuro when I worked in a chemists on leaving school. Also ointments called Fiery Jack and Tiger Balm. Wonderful names.

I recollect that there were tablets manufactured, with an added description "Lung Healers" My mother, about sixty to seventy years ago, got the interpretation wrong, as a lady, who had a strong Lancastrian accent, had mentioned these tablets to her, and she thought she meant that they took a long time to heal you.

Brilliant story, Albert! I remember Little Lung Healers well from my chemist days, and Fenning's Little Healers and Bile Beans....weird and wonderful home cures.

I was just going to say I remember the Fennings Little Lung Healers Albert and Irene beat me to it! We always had those in the house....correct me if I'm wrong ...but weren't they tiny little balls? I enjoyed reading your post about your mother! We don't seem to hear that broadness of speech nowadays it must be dying out! It's a shame really as when the older ones used it it could be really comical.

Yes, they were tiny little balls, Veronica. We also used to sell Kaolin et Morph, (Kaolin and Morphine Compound) for upset stomachs. The kaolin was chalky and the morphine, a brown liquid, used to rise to the top, and I believe it was taken off the shelves as druggies used to pinch it and drink the morphine off the top! I believe in years gone by a lot of over-the counter medicines contained opiate drugs. It's a wonder people didn't get addicted, (or perhaps they did?!).

I can't remember what they looked like Veronica. It must be seventy years ago. I was still at Spring View Secondary Boys' School.

I remember Fenning's Powders as well for babies and children. It was a slim white paper wrapping with a baby in a cradle on the front. I loved the taste of the yellowy powder.

Like Veronica I used to love Fennings powders and once took a swig of Fever Cure which I proptly spat out as, of course, it didn't taste the same! Now living in Cheshire we used to be able to buy a mysterious Black Bottle which I suspect was Gee's linctus and was withdrawn because of the morphine it contained.Along with Nurse Harvey's gripe water which I seem to live on during both pregnancies it's a wonder I am hale and hearty as I am!
Just to round off, did any else get Scott's Emulsion during the winter months? Even now the thought turns me proper sickly!

Another ointment in this category was ZAMBUCK

I remember Scott's Emulsion but we used to have a big spoonful of malt and a spoonful of cod liver oil every night before we went to bed in winter Wigwan. Also Syrup of Figs was something else kept in the cupboard. I didn't care for that.

My Nan was a great believer in Little Healers, Boracic Ointment was another of her favorites, I think Fiery Jack and Tiger Balm ares still obtainable.

When I was a lad, I badly sprained my ankle. My dad bandaged nit bone around it(comfrey.). Next morning, it was as though I'd never sprained my ankle. It grows wild, in various places, although you can get it, in an oil form, from a herbalist.

I can remember bunches of 'nip bone' hanging up on a nail in the pantry. My grandmother was a great believer in herbs. I have an old booklet posted to her during the war years from Heath and Heather there is all kinds of ointments and lotions in it and what was good for what. It's a pity I can't scan!!!!

Platts Foot Paste made by Mr Platt who was a herbalist in Golborne he also had a Temperance Bar at Golborne Cent

I used yo get Platts Foot Paste from the chiropodist stall in the OLD Market Hall. Best thing I have ever had for ingrowing toenails I wish it was still available now.

There is a passage in the bible that refers to what has been put on earth for the sustenance of mankind. "Trees, bearing fruit to eat, and trees, and plants, whose leaves will provide medicines."

A few more I remember,Golden Eye ointment,Liqufruita,Friars Balsam which is still around,and Dawsons Squares.

Fullers Earth Cream in a similar tin to the above. It was great for chapped knees after playing out in the bitter cold and snow. Who can forget the stinging skin being soothed with the cream?