Small clear pressed glass bottle; rectangular body tapers to a thin circular neck; corked; front panel has label embossed vertically; veterinary medicince by George Wesley Bell.
Small clear pressed glass bottle; rectangular body tapers to a thin circular neck; corked; front panel has label embossed vertically; veterinary medicince by George Wesley Bell.
Number Of Parts
1
Provenance
Purchased by Dr. M. Chiong for his collection of patent medicine bottles
Length: 10.5 cm. x Width: 3.6 cm. x Depth: 1.9 cm.
Condition Remarks
Price tag adhered to back of bottle and should be removed
Copy Type
Original
Research Facts
Kingston, Dr. Bell’s Veterinary Medical Wonder
Veterinarian Dr. George W. Bell (1858-1927), graduated from the Ontario Veterinary College 1880; practised veterinary medicine in the U.S. for 13 years. Returning to Kingston he established a veterinarian clinic on Brock Street, and continued to produce his patent medicines for use in farm livestock and pet animals under the business name of ‘Dr. Bell’s Wonder Medicine Company’. Dr. Bell made both veterinary and human remedies.
Dr. Bell’s Wonder Medicine was used as a sort of "cure all" but especially in the treatment of colic and inflammation and for cough and chills. The ingredients were aconite, belladonna, digitalis and nux vomica (strychnine).
He was principal (1895-1897) for the new Kingston Veterinary College at Queen’s University. By 1919 he was the milk inspector.
The operation of Dr. Bell’s Wonder Medicine Company was headed by his son. In 1936 when the United States Food and Drug Administration accused Dr. Bell’s Wonder Medicine Company of “misbranding.” Bottles were seized and analyzed under the Food and Drug Act. Labelled at 40 per cent alcohol, the tests concluded the mixture contained between 63 per cent and 65 per cent per bottle. Legal action ensued. In later years, the once-respected and prosperous company was labelled as quackery.