University Health Network - Academy of Medicine Collection
Category
Pharmacy and Drug Artifacts
Pharmacy, General
Pharmacy
Home Health Care
Classification
Pharmacy, General
Pharmacy
Home Health Care
Accession Number
1977.12.29 a-b
Description
Narrow rectangular orange cardboard box with image of Dr. Kilmer with clear glass rectangular glass bottle with cream paper label on one side and red metal screw on cap; full of dark liquid.
Narrow rectangular orange cardboard box with image of Dr. Kilmer with clear glass rectangular glass bottle with cream paper label on one side and red metal screw on cap; full of dark liquid.
Printed on box: "CONTENTS 5 1/2 FLUID OUNCES // S. ANDRAL KILMER, M.D. // SWAMP ROOT // A Diuretic // to the Kidneys and // Mild Laxative // KILMER & CO."
Permanent Location
Storage Room 0010
0010-A3-9 Row C
Unit Of Measure
centimeters
Copy Type
Original
Research Facts
Most famous product produces by the Dr. Kilmer & Co.; used as a diuretic to the kidneys.
Dr. Kilmer’s Swamp Root Kidney medicine began in the mid-1870s and in time became a household name. It was the creation of Dr. Sylvester Andral Kilmer (1840–1924) who developed a line of patent remedies in Binghamton, New York. Swamp Root, which was still available in 1969.
By 1895, the Kilmer line consisted of 18 different herbal medicines, including Indian Cough Cure / Consumption Oil, Female Remedy (“The Great Blood Purifier and System Regulator”) and Ocean Weed Heart Remedy.
The product had several incarnations, originally as Swamp Root Kidney Cure, then Swamp Root Kidney Remedy, it became “Dr. Kilmer's Swamp - Root Kidney / Liver & / Bladder Remedy”.
The 1906 Pure Food and Drug Act banned the use of the word "cure" on bottles or in advertising in the U.S.
Swamp Root contained, according to a bottle from ca. 1930, in addition to 10% alcohol, no fewer than 16 ingredients, including golden seal root, skullcap leaves, venice turpentine (larch gum), peppermint, cinnamon, valerian root, and sassafras. It was, the then manufacturer said, a diuretic for the kidneys (promoting the flow of urine to eliminate waste matter) and a mild laxative. It was sold in a screw-cap bottle contained in a bright orange box bearing an engraved portrait of S. Andral Kilmer, M.D.
Swamp-Root Cure contained: alcohol 10%, buchu leaves, scullcap leaves, golden seal root, colombo root, valerian root, cinnamon, oil of juniper, oil of birch, balsam copaiba, balsam tolu, venice turpentine, peppermint herb, rhubarb root, mandrake root, sassafras, and cape aloes. Like ginger, cinnamon is a warming herb that helps with circulation, congestion, and boosting immunities which make it a great addition to any cold or cough syrup.
Exhibit History
box only: On loan to Kingston Association of Museums for exhibit at Fort Henry L-2022-6 16 May – 1 Dec 2022.
box only - On loan to Kingston Association of Museums for exhibit at Fort Henry L-2021-1 14 May – 31 Oct 2021.