Talk:Beecham's Pills

Effectiveness
The Beechams accumulated a vast fortune. Were the pills placebo junk, or did they have a genuine theraputic effect for the ailments claimed (I seem to remember they were referred to a Beecham's Liver Pills for billiousness (whatever that is - strange how illnesses have fashions)? The ingredients seem pretty innoccuous and the theraputic effect, though noted, is not explained. I am left with the impression this was (very successful) quack medecine.

217.39.9.244 (talk) 19:25, 1 October 2011 (UTC)


 * Ah - I see; I knew there must be more to it - they were known as an abortifacient, and advertised (as far as could be done) as such.

See http://www.glowm.com/?p=glowm.cml/section_view&articleid=375#r40

"The history of Beecham's Pills in the United Kingdom involves the spread of a drug perceived to be an abortifacient. An 1897 advertisement in the Queen Victoria Diamond Jubilee Number of the Christian Herald is typical: “Worth a guinea a box. Beecham's Pills for all bilious and nervous disorders such as Sick Headache, Constipation, Weak Stomach, Impaired Digestion, Disordered Liver and Female Ailments. The sale is now 6 million boxes per annum.” This advertising copy was frequently printed with a picture of a young woman walking along the seashore or saying goodbye to a sailor boyfriend and was captioned, “What are the wild waves saying? Try Beecham's Pills.

Refs:Potts M, Diggory P, Peel T: Abortion. New York, Cambridge University Press, 1977 and Davis G: Interception of Pregnancy. Sydney, Australia, Angus and Robertson, 1974" 109.144.243.176 (talk) 09:57, 19 October 2012 (UTC)

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