Important: Safety Warning
This page contains a formula or preparation using substances now known to be dangerously toxic, such as arsenic, mercury, lead, or cyanide compounds. Exposure to these substances can cause severe poisoning, permanent injury, or death.
In addition, this page recommends preparations containing opium, laudanum, morphine, or similar narcotics — in some cases for children. These substances are dangerously addictive, easily fatal in overdose, and strictly controlled by law today.
In addition, this page presents medical treatment from an era before modern medicine. The remedies described are ineffective against the conditions named, and some of the ingredients or doses are harmful. Do not use them to treat any illness; consult a qualified medical professional.
This information has been left in for historical purposes but should not be acted upon.
Home › Patent and Proprietary Medicines › Ayer's Cherry Pectoral
Ayer's Cherry Pectoral
The following receipt is said to be somewhat near to, if not exactly identical with the receipt after which this well known article is compounded:
Take of syrup of wild cherry, 6 drachms; syrup of squills, 3 drachms; tincture of blood-root, 2 drachms; sweet spirits of nitre, 2 drachms; antimonial wine, 3 drachms; wine of ipecacuanha, 3 drachms; simple syrup, 1½ ounces; acetate of morphine, 2 grains. Mix, and add oil of bitter almonds, 2 drops; dissolved in alcohol, 1 drachm.