In the present day, we are well aware of the harm associated with patent medicines. However, during the 19th century, they often appeared as more accessible alternatives to the treatments offered by doctors. Medical practices of that era were rudimentary, with physicians following the principles of humoral medicine, which focused on maintaining balance within the body's four key substances: blood, phlegm, black bile, and yellow bile. This approach relied on practices like bloodletting, purges, and laxatives to achieve this balance. Many doctors also prescribed medications containing harsh chemicals such as mercury or opium. During this time, the emerging medical profession had limited knowledge of the dangers and addictive properties of these chemicals. Shown here are some examples of the harmful medications that were prescribed.    

For the general public, patent medicines presented an affordable and easily accessible alternative to medical care. In contrast, medical treatment by doctors was often costly, and many individuals could not afford it. Furthermore, numerous people lived in remote areas where access to doctors was limited. Bringing a doctor to a rural area involved additional expenses, including charges for each mile traveled on top of the visit fee. Patent medicines appealed to consumers because they could be ordered through the mail, and kits of medicines for common ailments were available. The term 'patent medicine' inspired confidence among consumers, yet these medicines often failed to deliver on their promises. While they could provide temporary relief, this was largely due to the liberal use of alcohol and opiates.  

Many of these concoctions contained a blend of vegetable compounds mixed with alcohol, morphine, opium, or cocaine. It wasn't until the passage of the 1906 Pure Food and Drugs Act that Congress banned the use of dangerous or addictive ingredients in drugs, marking a significant turning point in the regulation of healthcare products. 

The Industrial Revolution made it possible to cheaply produce new drugs, cleaners, and pest control products. This resulted in lots of new poisonous substances on the market. Many people were illiterate and accidental poisonings and deaths were common. To combat this, poison product bottles had to have distinctive colors, shapes, and designs to distinguish them. These bottles often came in colors like cobalt blue, dark black, dark green, or amber. They also featured raised lettering, patterns, deep grooves, geometric shapes, or skull and crossbones symbols.  

Different medical groups proposed ways to keep the public safe. In 1853, the American Pharmaceutical Association recommended using the death’s head symbol, a skull and crossed bones, and including a poison label. In 1872, the American Medical Association recommended labelling the bottles with the word poison and including rough texturing along one side.  While these measures helped adults distinguish the contents, little thought was given to how children would react to them. It wasn’t until the 1930s that the medical community realized that colorful and uniquely shaped bottles were especially attractive to children. This resulted in a switch to plainer (and less esthetically pleasing) bottles. 

In the late 1700s and early 1800s, physicians in Europe and America increasingly linked constipation to various health issues, influenced by changing diets and lifestyles in urban settings. By the early 19th century, constipation was widely regarded as the primary ailment of civilized society. Both doctors and the public believed that diseases stemmed from an imbalance in bodily functions, emphasizing the need to regulate secretions like blood, sweat, urine, and feces for restoring health. Consequently, a plethora of laxatives and purges flooded the market, all promising to regulate bodily systems and reestablish equilibrium. Although many of these remedies did successfully purge the system, several were poisonous in large doses and produced unpleasant side effects. 

In the 18th and 19th centuries, medical treatment for women came with many challenges. Due to societal norms of propriety, many women felt uncomfortable discussing their own bodies or asking questions about their health. When they did address their concerns, they often used euphemisms or veiled terms. With the medical profession predominantly composed of men, women's health often received inadequate attention, leading to unrecognized symptoms and dismissive treatment. Prevailing medical beliefs portrayed women as inherently weaker and more prone to illness, often unfairly attributing blame to the uterus. 

However, pharmacists, advertisers, and creators of patent medicines quickly recognized the opportunity to cater to this underserved demographic, leading to the emergence of a dedicated branch within the patent medicine industry. Though often ineffective and harmful, these remedies empowered women to take control of their well-being, offering privacy and convenience through mail-order delivery. 

While many patent medicine manufacturers claimed to cure serious diseases like cholera, smallpox, typhus, and yellow fever, few focused on treating the common cold. The medicines here were designed to treat mucous buildup, asthma, allergies, and sore throat. Like other medicines of the day, some contain poisonous and addictive ingredients. 

Homeopathic and herbal medicine are prominent components of alternative healthcare. Alternative medicine emphasizes stimulating the body's innate healing abilities through energy alignment, herbal supplements, and various balancing techniques. The effectiveness of these treatments has sparked ongoing debates due to challenges related to testability, repeatability, and a lack of substantial evidence. 

However, it's essential to note that many individuals continue to seek and incorporate these therapies into their healthcare regimens, often in conjunction with conventional medicine. This enduring interest highlights the complex and evolving landscape of healthcare choices available to people today.