Wacky Vintage Cures Con Artists Sold to the Masses

For centuries, people have fallen victim to con artists who sold all kinds of questionable "cures" that promised to heal everything from common colds to life-threatening diseases. These fraudsters would travel far and wide, promoting their snake oils and elixirs to anyone who would listen, often preying on the desperation of the sick and vulnerable. Let’s take a closer look at some of the most absurd and bizarre vintage cures that were peddled by these quacks and charlatans, including the dangerous and sometimes deadly consequences of trusting in their dubious remedies. 

1. Radithor - The Radioactive Elixir In the early 20th century, a man by the name of William J. A. Bailey created a radioactive elixir called Radithor, which he claimed could cure a host of ailments, including impotence, arthritis, and cancer. The elixir was made up of radium and water which was highly toxic, but Bailey marketed Radithor as a completely safe and beneficial product. He even went so far as to drink a bottle of it every day to demonstrate its supposed health benefits. However, it wasn't long before people who had been consuming Radithor started to develop severe radiation poisoning, which led to permanent health problems and some even passed away from it.  

2. Dr. Kilmer's Swamp Root Dr. Kilmer's Swamp Root was a popular cure-all tonic that was sold throughout the early 20th century. The tonic was made up of various herbs and other ingredients, including alcohol. While the tonic was completely ineffective, it was heavily marketed and sold to countless people across the United States. In fact, Dr. Kilmer's Swamp Root was so successful that the company even produced a song to promote the product. The lyrics included, "I used to be so weak and pale, but now I'm strong and hearty. Dr. Kilmer's Swamp Root did it all, and I'll never be a party to a sickly, weakly body." 

3. Clark Stanley's Snake Oil Liniment Snake oil salesmen were a common sight in the late 19th and early 20th centuries, and one of the most famous was Clark Stanley, who sold a liniment that he claimed was made from the oil of Chinese water snakes. Stanley marketed his product as a cure for everything from rheumatism to toothaches and even baldness. However, it was later discovered that the liniment did not actually contain snake oil, but rather was made up of various other ingredients, including beef fat and red pepper.  

4. Dr. Pierce's Pleasant Pellets Dr. Pierce's Pleasant Pellets were a popular cure for constipation that was marketed in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. The pellets were made up of various herbs and other ingredients and were marketed as a completely safe and natural remedy for constipation. However, the pellets were far from safe and highly addictive, leading many people who used them to become dependent on the product. In addition, the pellets contained a high level of alcohol, which led to further health problems for those who consumed them regularly. 

5. Dr. Sullivan’s Bovinine Bovinine was a tonic that was marketed in the late 19th and early 20th centuries as a cure-all remedy for a wide range of ailments. Bovinine became incredibly popular and was sold throughout the United States and Europe. In fact, the product was so successful that the company even produced a cookbook. Eventually, the truth about Bovinine was eventually exposed, and it was found to be nothing more than a mixture of water, salt, and beef extract. Despite this revelation, the product continued to be sold until the 1930s.