Courtesy of Sumner A. Webber, Sr., an individual partner
Description
Henry Pope Clearwater, Ph.D., was a pioneer in the mail order patent medicine business. He formulated a cure for rheumatism consisting of three pink pills.
The first pill contained ferrous carbonate, magnesium dioxide, sulfur and a compound of zinc. The second pill contained cascara and the third pill was aspirin and starch.
The U.S. Government took Dr. Clearwater to Federal Court in 1942. As a result, the court ruled his labeling was misleading and the pills were useless in the prevention and treatment of rheumatism and arthritis.
He entered a plea of nolo contendere and was fined $150.
After that, he only sold "Oint Ease," a liniment applied as a muscle relaxer. Sales declined and the business was liquidated after Dr. Clearwater died in 1952.
About This Item
- Title: All Humbug, Dr. Clearwater patent medicine advertisement, Hallowell, ca. 1935
- Creation Date: circa 1935
- Subject Date: circa 1935
- Location: Hallowell, Kennebec County, ME
- Media: Text
- Dimensions: 8.5 cm x 5.6 cm
- Local Code: CP005001
- Collection: Sam Webber Collection
- Object Type: Text
Cross Reference Searches
Standardized Subject Headings
- Advertising--Maine--Hallowell
- Publicity--Maine--Hallowell
- Patent medicines--Maine
- Patent medicines--Marketing
- Mail-order business--Maine--Hallowell
- Clearwater Medicine Company
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