Chapter XIV

SOOTHING, TEETHING AND COOLING POWDERS FOR INFANTS.

The number of proprietary infants’ powders that can be said to be at all widely advertised is small, but some of them are sold in very large numbers. In addition, powders for the same purpose are very largely supplied by retailers, put up by themselves; they are usually of similar composition to one or other of those here described, but there is, of course, great scope for variations in the quantity and proportion, as well as in the nature of the drugs employed. It may, perhaps, be hoped that the efforts now being made by the employment of health visitors in many towns will, by the spread of instruction as to the common-sense management of infants, gradually lead to a great diminution in the custom so prevalent among the poorer classes of dosing infants whenever the curious foods, still so commonly given, cause indigestion.

STEDMAN’S TEETHING POWDERS.

The powders “with one e” are sold from an address in the north of London in boxes, price 1s. 1½., 2s. 9d., 4s. 6d., and 11s. The 4s. 6d. box contained 60 powders, and the 11s. box contained 216; the other sizes are stated to contain respectively 9 and 30 powders.

In a circular enclosed in the package it is stated that:

The returns of the Registrar-General tell us that the
period of Dentition is one of more than ordinary peril
to the child. It is a time of most active development,
a time of passing from one mode of being to another,
and we may fairly congratulate ourselves when this time
of Teething be passed. To pass this time safely, and
with the least risk to the child, one of “Stedman’s
Teething Powders” should be given about twice a week,
during the whole time of Dentition, according to the
directions below....

When the bowels are moved regularly and the motions
of a natural yellow colour, the Powders had better
be omitted for a time, unless great irritability be
present, accompanied with restlessness, then a dose had
better be given. Diarrhœa will generally be checked by
giving a dose at the commencement of the attack.

The directions are:

When the Child is under three months of age, the Third
of a Powder only is to be given; from three to six
months Half a Powder may be used; when above six months
a Whole Powder may be taken.

The average weight of one powder was 2·4 grains; twelve powders weighed singly had weights varying from 2·25 to 2·6 grains. Analysis showed the powder to be composed of:

Calomel 29 per cent.
Sugar of milk 71 ” ”

A trace of alkaloid was present also, and when extracted from the material of a large number of powders, was found to amount to only 0·016 per cent., or ¹/₂₅₀₀ grain in one powder. This trace of alkaloid did not show the behaviour of morphine, and did not give any reactions characteristic of any of the ordinary alkaloids, so far as it was possible to test for them on the minute amount available.

The estimated cost of the materials for the powders in a 4s. 6d. box is one-third of a penny.

STEEDMAN’S SOOTHING POWDERS.

The powders, “with two e’s,” are stated to be prepared in the south of London, and are sold in packets, price 1s. 1½d. and 2s. 9d. per packet; the 2s. 9d. packet contained twenty-four powders.

In a circular enclosed in the packet it is stated that:

The good effects of these Powders during the period of
Teething have now had _Fifty Years’ Experience_,
during which time _Thousands of children have been
relieved annually_ from all those distressing
symptoms which children suffer while cutting their
teeth—viz., Feverish Heats, Fits, Convulsions,
Sickness of Stomach and Debility, accompanied with
Relaxation of the Bowels, and pale and green motions,
or Inflammation of the Gums.

... the striking superiority both in the health and
strength of those children who have taken the soothing
Powders during the period of Teething has induced the
Proprietor to make this MUCH-VALUED MEDICINE more
generally known by this advertisement.

The directions are:

Dose.—From one to three months, the third of a Powder;
from three to six months, half of a Powder; from six
months and above that age, one Powder only and no more;
...

The average weight of one powder was 2·8 grains; twelve powders weighed singly had weights varying from 1·9 to 4·5 grains. Analysis showed the powder to consist of:

Calomel 27 per cent.
Sugar 22 ”
Maize starch 50·5 ”
Ash 0·5 ”

A minute trace of alkaloid appeared to be present; the quantity was considerably less than in the Stedman’s powders described above, and so small, in fact, as hardly to give positive evidence of its alkaloidal nature.

The estimated cost of the ingredients of Steedman’s powders in a 2s. 9d. packet is one-eighth of a penny.

PRITCHARD’S TEETHING AND FEVER POWDERS.

The proprietors of these powders give an address in a large provincial city. The price charged is 1s. 1½d. for a box containing sixteen powders.

In a circular enclosed in the package it is stated:

The constantly increasing sale of these justly
esteemed Powders proves them to be the most effectual
Medicine that can be given to young children during
the troublesome and anxious period of teething. By
their gentle action on the Bowels, and valuable cooling
properties, they allay all irritation and Feverishness,
prevent Fits, Convulsions, &c., ensure refreshing and
natural sleep for the child, and therefore peaceful
nights for the parents.

The directions are:

From one to three months, a third of a Powder; from
three to six months, half a Powder; from six months
and above that age, one Powder (not to be given if the
child is relaxed).

The average weight of the powders was 2·1 grains; twelve powders weighed singly had weights varying from 1·9 to 2·3 grains. Analysis showed the powder to consist of:

Calomel 47 per cent.
Antimony oxide 0·7 ”
Calcium phosphate 1·4 ”
Sugar of milk 50·9 ”

No trace of alkaloid was present.

The estimated cost of the ingredients of the powders in a 1s. 1½d. box is one-ninth of a penny.

FENNING’S CHILDREN’S COOLING POWDERS.

The proprietor gives an address in the south of England, and the prices charged are 1s. 1½d. and 2s. 9d. a box; the 2s. 9d. box contained 48 powders.

They were described in a circular enclosed with the box as:

The best medicine for infants cutting their teeth,
preventing convulsions, thrush, disordered bowels, and
for all the feverish diseases of infants and children.

The following directions are given:

For an Infant under _three_ years of age, give
_one_ of Fenning’s Cooling Powders mixed with a
little water, or it could be thrown dry as it is into
the opened mouth of the baby, and gently holding back
the head for half a minute it would be swallowed.

Whenever an Infant is restless or feverishly hot from
Teething, when it is griped or sick from improper food,
or over-feeding; has acidity, or a disordered stomach,
_one_ of these Powders should be immediately given
and, if necessary, repeated every day....

When a Child is attacked with Thrush, Measles, Hooping
Cough, or Fever of any sort, always keep the feverish
blood cool by giving a dose of _Fenning’s Cooling
Powders_ every or every other day.

The powders had an average weight of 3·4 grains; twelve powders weighed singly had weights varying from 3·2 to 3·8 grains. Analysis showed the powder to consist of:

Potassium chlorate 70 per cent.
Powdered liquorice 30 ”

The estimated cost of the ingredients of the powders in a 2s. 9d. box is one-sixth of a penny.