bjgreen
Image: Santa Barbara Morning Press, October 27, 1918
By Betsy J. Green
There was no shortage of flu-related newspaper articles and advertisements in October 1918 here. “Lemons Bound Upward as ‘Flu’ Remedy,” was one headline in the local paper. Santa Barbara’s Johnston Fruit Company reported that demands for lemons were coming in from all over the country.
The Veronica Medicinal Springs Water Company jumped into the action with a full-page ad that recommended internal and external use of its healing waters as a flu treatment and preventative.
Betsy’s Way Back When book — 1919 — is now available in local bookstores and at Amazon.com. This is the sixth book in her series of the history of Santa Barbara, one year at a time. Learn more at betsyjgreen.com
Quacks then and quacks now. One big difference is that the quacks now can reach a bigger audience of gullible people.
So true.
Snake skin/fat can have highly antibiotic properties since they live both in and under the soil.
I used to take a Chinese cough medicine that had “snake gall” in it, I took it not to insult a client who took me to a Chinese pharmacy in San Jose. It worked on my walking pneumonia quickly, and has worked every time on symptoms. As to snake oil, no! That is usually mineral oil, or camphor or other addictive stuff. Virgin Presidio Olive Oil, (EVOO) is very pure from Santa Ines site is much better. It has been used for centuries in China, and the Spanish published a recipe in 1719. Problem: Finding two pounds of snake and keeping them in the pot. This cough medicine actually helped my dancing moves once cured. Vodka does work on COVID-19 immunity if you want it to.