Warren County
Local History by Dallas Bogan |
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Dallas Bogan on 17 August 2004 |
Source: |
original article by Dallas Bogan |
Return to Index to see a list of other articles by Dallas Bogan |
Mention was made in a previous article concerning John R. Klingling
(Oct. 10, 1993) who was the brother of Mary Ann Klingling,
the founder of the Children's Home in Lebanon.
An article in The Western Star written by Lee L. Dodds, features
an old prescription book written by Mr. Klingling. This writer
found it very interesting. I shall now draw from this column.
Mrs. W.C. Bowyer who was asked to furnish antique articles
regarding the drug trade for decoration of the window in the Wight & Decker
drug store furnished the prescription book.
The building occupied by Wight & Decker was possibly one of the first brick
buildings built in Lebanon, dated about 1807.
The original owner, William Lowry, was not listed as a businessman
in 1805, but was so listed in 1810.
The next owner was listed as Joseph Nipton, who sold out to
Johrun Richard Klingling. The property was later sold by Mary
Ann Klingling (in 1870) to John McCowen,
who later sold it to his clerk Henry Reid (in 1881) who became
his partner. Reid's sons continued the store in operation until
1937.
Mr. Reid furnished Mr. Dodds with two old
invoices regarding the prices about 1870. One is for a barrel of whiskey, billed
at 90 cents per gallon. The other is for one sixth dozen cotton stockings at
$42 per dozen, or $3.50 per pair. Mr. Klingling's prescription
book contains notes regarding his many occupations as a pharmacist such as:
a druggist, doctor, horse and animal doctor, and source of general information.
Some of his prescriptions would seem rather entertaining today, but in the days
of old they were rather serious cures.
Cholera was one of seriousness in the early days of the pioneers. Dr.
Klingling lists several different combinations for its cure. Sometimes
the medicine prescribed should be determined whether for man or beast. Some
of the treatments are in Latin, German, but mostly in English; sometimes all
three languages are combined.
Dr. Klingling was undoubtedly some type of a humorist. One
prescription was, "Cure for your piles, Carry three buckeyes in your pocket."
Another prescription of sort read: "Interesting to people who burn bituminous
coal, to detect the presence of dirt. Take a mixture of oxigen and hydrogen,
(equal parts) and dissolve them in a preparation of the carbonate of soda and
sulphuric and immerse the substance, (hands for instance) suspected to contain
the dirt and of applying friction a black precipitate goes down. In other words
wash the hands in soap and water."
The chemical composition of water (H2O) was somewhat put aside in the early
days due to the ruggedness of the male individuals. For instance, the shaving
chore called for the following: "Caustic Potash - to shave with for putting
off the beard." Also - "An item for grey beards: Lac Sulphur, Sugar
of Lead and Rose Water. Mix them, shake the vial on using the mixture and bath
the hair twice a day for a week or longer if necessary." The actual ingredients
were in the prescription book, but Mr. Dodds decided against
using them in his article.
The "Fever" and "Ague" were common complaints of the early
days and the druggist had his favorite remedy. "Camphor, Cayenne Pepper,
Hartshorn and Number Six, equal parts mixt together with Spirits of Turpentine
and rubbed from the neck to the bones - that you get in sweats, that will cure
fever and ague."
Dr. Klingling made a trip in August 1838 to pay bills totaling
$955.44 1/2, and notes the following: "Over night in Dayton, $1.50. Stage
to Miamisburg, 75 cents. To Middletown, Cin. and Xenia, $2.81 1/2. To Lebanon,
$2.00. 2 nights in Cin., $2.25. Beer and cheese, 12 1/2 cents."
Dr. Klingling's store must have done a booming business as
suggested by his cash drawers on various dates in 1839, ranging from $185.00
to $335.00.
An inventory of his stock showed a most complete list of drugs and herbs on
hand.
Synthetic products were unknown in this era. One of his "artificial"
remedies was: "to make new whiskey old in a short time. Put about four
pounds of the ross (?) bark of sassafrass in 1 barrel and shake it every two
or three days - in about 1 or 2 months the whiskey is old."
The contents of the book were apparently full of old remedies and prescriptions
for the cure of every ache and pain known at that time. The relationship between
the old and the new remedies would be only for a capable physician to determine.
Mr. Dodds did not expose any of the drug mixtures because of
danger of public usage.
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This page created 17 August 2004 and last updated
28 September, 2008
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