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HISTORICAL CANNABIS MEDICINES |
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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"
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 than 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 than they now have.
8.2 - GENERAL PRICES :
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PRICING CHANGE NOTICE - 3d Edition All the pricing information below may now be obsolete but is being left up (as-is) for historical reasons. --- Due to the economic recession and other factors relating to the re-legalization of Cannabis, prices have in general done a noise-dive. This may only be a temporary situation or the new reality of the antique market place. In general [given today’s market place] Cannabis Cough Syrups (with the exception of Piso's) are now going for between $55 and $150. And the condition of the bottles (label’s etc.) do now seem to matter. |
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.
FRAUD WARNING First, there is a big difference between a reproduction (openly advertised and sold as such) and a forgery or fraud. And let’s face it, there are a lot of (ah) less than nice people out there who are ready, and it seems very willing, to take advantage of the innocent. --- Which is another way of saying that there are a lot of fraudsters out there some of their stuff is so real that they have even fooled us. Without question, one or two of the pictures shown within this chapter may not be what they seem. And given the state of modern day laser printers (great for making those old labels), the situation is only going to keep going in one direction. – Please see Chapter 2 ; “Of Forgeries & Reproductions.” HOWEVER, as a poem goes; . . . “take caution in your business affairs for the world is full of trickery, but let it not blind you to the good that . . .etc.“ And to that we must add, that there is a lot of good people out there. In fact the vast majority of antique dealers would probably fall well into the “good” category. But still be aware that the problem exists. |
* This was done under extreme political pressure (also known as the Reefer Madness campaign), not medical reasons and the sick, sick part of it all is that Cannabis seems to have been replaced by Opium derivatives. Great going people, but an antique price guide is no place to engage into politics.
--- for those so inclined http://www.reefermadnessmuseum.org/
our sister museum has much information of the subject.
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