Point of sale advertisements for Burroughs Wellcome & Co preparations

Date:
1958
Reference:
WF/M/GB/39/06
Part of:
Wellcome Foundation Ltd
  • Archives and manuscripts

About this work

Description

Historical series of adverts in colour on cardboard (self-supporting), produced for use in pharmacies.

The advertisements compare the superstitious basis of folk remedies with the modern, scientific products of Burroughs Wellcome & Co

9 advertisements, arranged into 2 folders. Text of advertisements as follows:

Folder 1:

- "Ceremonic symbolic of re-birth were frequent in folk medicine. In the Scottish Highlands, to cure disease in children, witches gathered woodbine-branches under the crescent moon in March. Weaving these into wreaths, they passed the children through them thrice, head first, as though to afford them entry to a new, healthier life
Today, doctors throughout the world look to the pharmaceutical preparations of Burroughs Wellcome & Co"

- "A strange ritual used in early medicine was that of gathering black hellebore, the Christmas Rose. To potentiate its virtues as a cure for madness, those seeking it went bare-footed, robed in white; bread and wine were sacrificed; the right hand plucked the blossom and secretly conveyed it to the left
Pioneers in Medical and Veterinary Research - Burroughs Wellcome & Co"

- "Exeter citizens afflicted with ague (malaria) sought cure in superstitious ritual. Five times at dead of night, when the cold fot was approaching, the sufferer walked silently to a neighbouring crossroads and there buried a new-laid egg...
Today, science fights malaria on a global front by rational means, and travellers abroad are protected from malaria by 'Daraprim', discovered by - Burroughs Wellcome & Co" (2 copies)

- "Medicines have changed, methods have changed, but the apothecary's art lives on. It is present at every stage of manufacture of the vast range of Burroughs Wellcome & Co. medicinal products. These products are recognised and relied upon in every part of the world for their quality and purity"

Folder 2:

- "Medicines have changed, methods have changed, but the apothecary's art lives on. It is present at every stage of manufacture of the vast range of Burroughs Wellcome & Co. medicinal products. These products are recognised and relied upon in every part of the world for their quality and purity"

- "Burroughs Wellcome & Co (The Wellcome Foundation Ltd)
As recently as the last century superstitious ritual played a part in combating illness. Science today has ousted superstition - largely through the rapid and successful strides taken in the pharmaceutical industry. It is to this industry that we know look for remedies on which we may depend.
In 1880, Burroughs Wellcome & Co was formed in London, and it is now part of a world-wide organisation - The Wellcome Foundation Ltd - renowned for its medical and veterinary research and the quality of the pharmaceutical preparations it supplies.
As a result of unceasing research in the Wellcome Laboratories, Burroughs Wellcome & Co were pioneers in the supply of Insulin and Penicillin, and have played an outstanding part in the fight to conquer malaria - with 'Daraprim'. Such intensive research has enabled the Company to hold an outstanding position in the production of vaccines against such diseases as Diphtheria, Cholera, Yellow Fever, Tetanus and now Poliomyelitis, as well as against many animal diseases.
The products of Burroughs Wellcome & Co relied upon for their quality and purity, are prescribed throughout the world today". (3 copies)

Publication/Creation

1958

Physical description

1 item (2 folders)

Copyright note

Copyright assigned to the Wellcome Trust

Where to find it

  • LocationStatusAccess
    Closed stores

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