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1 result for Greenville Times / Pitt's Past Vol. 30 Issue 5, May 2-Jun 5 2012
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Record #:
23704
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Abstract:
The Madstone or “Bezoar Stone” was once believed to be the most highly prized piece of medicine anyone could possess. These stones were used to treat snakebites, rabies and lock jaw and were passed down in families for generations. Dr. R. G. Cobb of Kinston, NC owned a madstone passed down in his family. There were other popular remedies long ago that included “Asafetida bags,” also called “Devil’s Dung,” stinky bags put around the necks of children to keep flu, disease and evil spirits away. There was “Father John’s,” that tasted like licorice and cod-liver oil. There was “Terpine Hydrate Cough Expectorate,” that contained codeine that would knock out kids for 14 hours. There were parents who believed in Musterrol, Vicks salve, and Castoria, a castor oil substitute.
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