Don Canney

While having lunch with a friend recently, one topic of discussion was medicines our moms would revert to when we got sick or injured as kids.

We can all remember as youngsters falling off our bikes, which resulted in road rash requiring a bandage or ointment of some sort, scraping a knee, cutting ourselves on some odd protrusions we didn’t see at the playground, having an upset tummy and needing mommy to fix it for us or simply getting a cold or the flu in a day when Covid was not one of our main concerns.

Our moms would do anything to make us feel better, perhaps to the point of unknowingly using a fix that could eventually do more harm than good.

Back in the 50’s, 60’s or 70’s, our moms might venture into an old wall mounted and mirrored medicine cabinet (something we no longer see in the average home today) and pull-out traditional treatments such as Iodine, Paregoric, Coke syrup, or Mercurochrome. By the way, dad might also have disposed of his used double edged razor blades in a slot within that old medicine cabinet.

Just thinking about those treatments today can make the hair stand up on the back of one’s head, as many are now taboo by FDA standards, and for good reason.

Iodine was a treatment often used for cuts and scrapes back in the day. Just Googling the topic and its side effects brings on an aura of cringe. Per Google: “Common side effects seen with both povidone iodine eye drops, and skin formulations may include local swelling, irritation, itching, and rash. With overuse, povidone iodine can have corrosive effects due to its iodine content.” So, as tots and teens we were likely exposed to these side effects and then some.

Paregoric was often used by mothers to sooth upset stomachs or as a surface pain reliever for things like toothaches or sore gums, during a time when opioids were not a controlled substance. Per a Google search, “Paregoric, or camphorated tincture of opium, also known as tinctura opii camphorata, is a traditional patent medicine known for its antidiarrheal, antitussive, and analgesic properties.” It could be purchased over the counter without a prescription prior to 1970. With a licorice flavor, its taste resembled the anise based alcoholic drink Ouzo. Or for the kids of the day, a good old fashioned licorice stick.

A July 1970 edition of the then Nashua Telegraph contained a syndicated column by Dr. George Thosteson. In it, a mother writes that her friend has been giving her three-month-old baby paregoric before every feeding (every three to four hours) and that he cries if he doesn’t get it. Hmmm. The doctor confirmed that paregoric was indeed an opium derivative, and that it was addictive!

Coke Syrup, or cola syrup, was a common over-the-counter product used to help treat nausea or upset stomach. It too could be purchased without a prescription at most pharmacies. Some doctors advised parents that the same effect could be had by stirring a half glass of Coca Cola with a spoon and letting it set for several minutes before consumption.

Mercurochrome was a popular topical antiseptic and anesthetic used for cuts and scrapes. Unfortunately, it also contained mercury (long before those seafood red tide warnings).

When you saw mom pulling that mercurochrome bottle out of the medicine cabinet, you prepared for what at times could be described as pain equivalent to a thousand bee stings at the wound site. It eventually gave way to products such as Bactine and Neosporin, which produced similar antiseptic and anesthetic results, with less sting and discomfort. The primary downfall of mercurochrome was, when applied to the wound, it stained the skin red, making it more difficult to detect inflammation or infection. This, combined with the fear of mercury toxicity from the mercurochrome being absorbed through the skin, resulted in an FDA ban.

Having experienced many of these cures and treatments as a kid, I’m thankful and quite surprised to have grown up normal. Of course, I guess that would depend upon how one defines normal.

Don Canney is a freelance writer and professional voice artist. He was born and raised in downtown Nashua with great interest in Nashua history circa 1950-1970. He now resides in Litchfield.

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