Petrole. The Medicinal Properties of Petroleum...
Los Angeles: Petrole Remedy Co., 1899. [32],[2]pp. Oblong octavo. Original pictorial wrappers, stapled. Minor creasing across spine. Light toning and dust soiling internally. Very good plus. Item #6356
A splendid patent medicine promotional that advertises "Petrole," a combination and concentration of various oils that promises to harness, "the medicinal properties of petroleum," for all that ails the sick and afflicted. "Petrole is the most penetrating medicine known. It rushes instantly to the afflicted parts, beginning at once to assist nature in renovating the tired, dormant, and diseased organs, and commencing to tone and strengthen the entire machinery of the human system." The work goes on to describe a number of applications and uses for Petrole that will quickly cure a wide swath of diseases -- "Rheumatism, Sciatica, Neuralgia, Bronchitis, early stages of Tuberculosis, Croup, Diphtheria, Lumbago, and all kindred troubles." One particularly outlandish suggested treatment states, "For sure cure of catarrh, use an Oil Atomizer, spraying the Petrole in the throat and nostrils, drawing the fumes into the lungs," and its use as a viable treatment for dandruff and baldness (after liberal application, "Imprisoned hair begins to grow"). The text is somewhat incongruously accompanied by photographic scenes of Southern California. An advertisement inserted at the rear states that this pamphlet was produced in several versions, each with different images, but we could not locate another copy.
Price: $650.00