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You Know You're Old When...

by Rose-Mary Rumbley
ou know you're old when you can remember Lucy, the
Vitameatavegamin Girl. That routine was one of Lucy's
Ybest. She finagles her way into making the commercial "change of life" time. My mother
for this cure-all. Now, those cure-alls were cure-alls, because made fun of this aunt, because she
they were 50% alcohol. Naturally, Lucy gets loaded while was still taking Lydia Pinkhams's
making the commercial. What fun!!!! when she was 75 years old! Mother often commented, "I think
she has gone through the change by now!" Why would she
There is a new book out, THE HISTORY OF THE WORLD IN keep taking it? Don't forget it was 50% alcohol.
6 GLASSES by Tom Standage. This book tells of the making
of beer, wine, spirits, tea, coffee, and soda water. In the chapter I have never forgotten Hadacol, the cure-all of the late 40s
about soda water, the cure-all is explained. In May of 1886, and early 50s. This elixir was created by Dudley J. LaBlanc,
John Pemberton, a pharmacist who lived in Atlanta, Georgia, a Louisiana State Senator, who had no medical knowledge
invented a drink, which became Coca-Cola. But, before that, he whatsoever. He complained to his doctor that he had pain in his
was a tinkerer who was really looking for a cure for headaches. foot and elsewhere. The doctor sent him some Vitamin B, and
LaBlanc did get some relief. That's when he decided to create
He was an experienced maker of what was called "patent a vitamin packed cure-all with added alcohol, and he came up
medicine." These quack remedies were hugely popular in the with the name Hadacol for his creation. What LaBlanc lacked
United States during the 19th century. These pills, syrups, in medical knowledge he had in promotional ability, because he
creams, and oils were generally triumphs of advertising got several stars, including Lucy, to promote his product.
over pharmacology. They were harmless, but most of them
contained a large amount of alcohol or sometimes, opium or He also organized show troupes to tour Texas and Louisiana
morphine. for the Hadacol promotion. When I was a student at UNT I
auditioned to be in one of the show troupes and was accepted.
There were Medicine Shows that traveled the country presenting I told my mother, "I'm going to tour Texas with the Hadacol
comedy acts, singers, orators--all who promoted the medicine, Troup." Her answer came quickly. "No, you're not! Show
the cure-all. troupes are filled with 'common' people." That was the worst
There were several of those patent medicines that I do not thing you could be according to my mother was "common."
recall. I do NOT remember Paw Paw Pills to Coax your Liver "Besides," she went on, "You would get 'ruined.'" So, I didn't
into Action! Then there was Dr. Moore's Indian Root Pills that get to go on tour. I went to summer school!
made you feel terrific! Then there was Dr. Kidd's Elixir of Life What happened to Dudley J. LaBlanc and Hadacol? Well,
that claimed to cure EVERY KNOWN ailment! Just one dose he didn't keep good books, so he went bankrupt. END OF
of Dr. Kidds and "rheumatism, neuralgia, stomach, heart, liver, HADACOL!
kidney, blood and skin diseases disappear as by magic." Because I went to summer school, I graduated a year early!
Then there was St. Jacob's Oil, which was said to remedy That was not "common."•
"sore muscles." Big money was spent on advertising. The
patent medicine business was among the first to recognize the
importance of trademarks and advertising of slogans.
Now, I do remember so well, Lydia E. Pinkham's Vegetable
Compound. I remember it because I had an aunt who was taking
it for relief from all the miseries that came during a women's

A Grandmother’s Prayer

by Susan J. Decuir

t was October 17, 2007. My eighteen-month-old as he examined each treasure with
grandson, Evan, and I walked along the sidewalk leading gentle care.
Itoward the playground. But Evan didn’t seem to notice Lord, please keep his hands and heart continually tuned into
the slide, the tire swing, or the bouncy manmade toys. You, Your creation, and to the awesome plan You have for
I watched in awe as he stooped down to smell the flowers, his life.
pick up a leaf, a snail, and a piece of wood bark, filling his
little hands with God’s creation. His sky-blue eyes sparkling

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