All Humbug, Dr. Clearwater patent medicine advertisement, Hallowell, ca. 1935
Courtesy of Sumner A. Webber, Sr., an individual partner
Description
Henry Pope Clearwater, Ph.D., was a pioneer in the mail order patent medicine business. He formulated a cure for rheumatism consisting of three pink pills.
The first pill contained ferrous carbonate, magnesium dioxide, sulfur and a compound of zinc. The second pill contained cascara and the third pill was aspirin and starch.
The U.S. Government took Dr. Clearwater to Federal Court in 1942. As a result, the court ruled his labeling was misleading and the pills were useless in the prevention and treatment of rheumatism and arthritis.
He entered a plea of nolo contendere and was fined $150.
After that, he only sold "Oint Ease," a liniment applied as a muscle relaxer. Sales declined and the business was liquidated after Dr. Clearwater died in 1952.
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