COUGH SYRUPS
Chapter 8
Chapter 8
"Cannabis indica is one of the best additions to cough mixtures that we possess, as it quiets the tickling in the throat, and yet does not constipate or depress the system as does morphine." --- Practical Therapeutics (1895) By Hobart Hare"
 Victor's |
 Warren-Teed |
 Columbus Pharmacal |
 Massengill |
 Webb |
 Kurokol |
 Warner |
 MaCalister's |
 Piso |
 Tancro |
 CodLiver |
 Linden |
 Wardle Bros |
 Kohler |
 NewsPaper Ad's |
8.0 - CANNABIS COUGH SYRUPS:
"Cannabis indica is one of the best additions to cough mixtures that we possess, as it quiets the tickling in the throat, and yet does not constipate or depress the system as does morphine." --- Practical Therapeutics (1895) By Hobart Hare"
8.1 - CANNABIS IN COUGH SYRUPS:
I've always viewed coughing as part of the body's natural defense mechanism, a way of removing excess mucus (that gooey liquidy stuff) from the throat and air passages. Cannabis, among its other properties, seems to have the ability to dry up, expand and unclog these passages, I've been told that in unscientific terms this is referred to as the "Dry Mouth Effect." This and the ability of Cannabis to act as a painkiller as well as a sedative made it a natural ingredient in cough medicines.
But as noted elsewhere, this author (being an antique lover and historian) makes no pretense to having any medical or chemical knowledge. So, exactly how Cannabis did what it did -- to help clean up a bad cough -- I do not know. What is known is that by the late 1880s, Cannabis seemed to make its way into numerous cough syrups and medicines, and its use seems to have continued right up until the 1930s.
One thing that should be noted by medical historians is that before penicillin, diseases like tuberculosis were not curable only treatable. Thus, medicines like cough syrups took on a greater importance then they now have. In fact some of the cough syrups even had names like "Piso's Cure for Consumption." Which judging by its popularity must have been a very effective one? [Note, quack medicines will be dealt with later on in Chapter 15]
Although seen by most as a "Quack Medicine," "Piso's Cure for Consumption," was actually a cough medicine and judging by its popularity a very effective one at that. Its very name however, brings out the fact that in the days before penicillin, numerous diseases (tuberculosis etc.) were not curable only treatable. Thus, medicines like cough syrups took on a greater importance then they now have.
8.2 - GENERAL PRICES :
In general Cannabis Cough Syrups (with the exception of Piso's) sell for between $100 and $350.
With cough syrups, like everything else regarding pre-1937 medical Cannabis products, it's the story behind the product that has the greatest impact on its price. Other factors such as condition (as long as labels are legible), availability, etc., take on a secondary role.
Korokol's cough syrup is a good example. Yes, the bottle + box container are both in good condition, and yes, the bottle itself is somewhat rare. But its real value lies in the story it tells. Just the details found on the label tells an incredible story, where it was made, who it was made for etc. Modern day Cannabis antique collectors are on the look out for such details.
At the opposite extreme is "Piso's Cure," (see section on quack medicines) which while common (it was extremely popular back in its day), due to its colorful but somewhat undesirable history, only sells for between $5 to $25 dollars max, regardless of condition.
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