1911 · [New Haven]
by Kickapoo Indian Medicine Co
[New Haven]: Kickapoo Indian Medicine Co, 1911. Very good. 8vo (4" x 7"), 32 pp. (contents toned). Original pictorial wrappers, stapled as issued (vertical fold, some minor spotting to wrappers). CO-OPTING NATIVE AMERICANS FOR QUACK MEDICINE, THE KICKAPOO INDIAN MEDICINE COMPANY WAS FAMOUS FOR ITS TRAVELING MEDICINE SHOWS WHICH AGGRESSIVELY PROMOTED "INDIAN SAGWA," SUPPOSEDLY A BLOOD, LIVER, AND STOMACH REGULATOR. IT WAS IN FACT A COMBINATION OF GRAIN ALCOHOL, BEER, AND LAXATIVES. EPHEMERAL PIECES SUCH AS THIS ARE VALUABLE NOT ONLY TO HISTORIANS OF THE HISTORY OF MEDICINE, BUT TO THOSE WHO STUDY THE HISTORY OF AMERICAN COMMERCE, AND THE COMMERCIALIZATION (truncated)