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 pound; pitch, pound; thus, & pound; and following receipt is said to be somewhat near capsicum, 30 grains. The plaster, as oficred to, if not exactly identical with the receipt after for sale, is spread upon muslin or linen, in which this well known article is compounded: which small holes have been punched out, Take of syrup of wild cherry, 6 drachms; allowing vent for perspiration, and affording syrup of squills, 3 drachms; tincture of increased flexibility. These plasters adhere blood-root, 2 drachms; sweet spirits of nitre, very firmly, frequently requiring the applica- 2 drachms; antimonial wine, 3 drachms; tion of heat (by means of a hot towel or wine of ipecacuanha, 3 drachms; simple warm flat-iron), for their removal. The skin syrup, 1½ ounces; acetate of morphine, 2 may be cleansed after the removal of the grains. Mix, and add oil of bitter almonds, plaster, by rubbing with sweet oil, until the 2 drops; dissolved in alcohol, 1 drachm. remains of the plaster are dissolved; wiping 5268. Donovan's Mixture of Cyanide it off, and washing with warm water and scap. of Potassium. Mix together 1 grain cya-