In case you needed a reminder that things were a little different in 1890 from today, I pulled a few advertisements from a single page from the November 14, 1890 edition of the Idaho Statesman, so you could ponder what may have been on the minds of Boise residents in that first year of statehood.
Ailments and maladies, mostly. It seems one could cure about anything by downing the right elixir. “The Celebrated French Cure,” called Aphroditine was guaranteed to “cure any form of nervous disease, or any disorder in the generative organs of either sex whether arising from the excessive use of stimulants, tobacco or opium.” Symptoms of the afflictions of those stimulants included loss of brain power, wakefulness, dizziness, and weak memory.
Whatever could not be cured by Aphroditine would surely fall to the powers of Wistar’s Balsam of Wild Cherry. It was said to clear up bronchitis, asthma, croup, influenza, whooping cough, and even consumption (tuberculosis). COVID-19 would doubtless be added to that list today.
For less deadly but still worrisome problems, one could turn to Skookum Root Hair Grower. It prevented baldness and even grew hair on bald heads if you used it religiously. The manufacturer was happy to note that the product “Contains no Mineral or Vegetable Poisons.”
Once your head was safely haired, you’d want to take care of your feet. Idaho Saddlery Company was happy to supply you with $3 shoes, if you were a man. You might even get a pair for $2 if you were a lady.
Assuming you had cured your weak mind, fixed your little hair loss problem, and shined up your shoes, you’d probably want to go courting. Successful courters would want to have the option of pulling those shades. To avoid catastrophe, you’d want none other than Hartshorn’s Self-Acting Shade Rollers. No need to accept imitations when every roller was autographed.
Ailments and maladies, mostly. It seems one could cure about anything by downing the right elixir. “The Celebrated French Cure,” called Aphroditine was guaranteed to “cure any form of nervous disease, or any disorder in the generative organs of either sex whether arising from the excessive use of stimulants, tobacco or opium.” Symptoms of the afflictions of those stimulants included loss of brain power, wakefulness, dizziness, and weak memory.
Whatever could not be cured by Aphroditine would surely fall to the powers of Wistar’s Balsam of Wild Cherry. It was said to clear up bronchitis, asthma, croup, influenza, whooping cough, and even consumption (tuberculosis). COVID-19 would doubtless be added to that list today.
For less deadly but still worrisome problems, one could turn to Skookum Root Hair Grower. It prevented baldness and even grew hair on bald heads if you used it religiously. The manufacturer was happy to note that the product “Contains no Mineral or Vegetable Poisons.”
Once your head was safely haired, you’d want to take care of your feet. Idaho Saddlery Company was happy to supply you with $3 shoes, if you were a man. You might even get a pair for $2 if you were a lady.
Assuming you had cured your weak mind, fixed your little hair loss problem, and shined up your shoes, you’d probably want to go courting. Successful courters would want to have the option of pulling those shades. To avoid catastrophe, you’d want none other than Hartshorn’s Self-Acting Shade Rollers. No need to accept imitations when every roller was autographed.
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