The Midwest pioneer, his ills, cures, & doctors - University Library ...

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care, not only of neuralgia pains and lumbago, but also
fits, cramps, palsey, paralysis, epilepsy, deafness, nervous
tremors, palpitation, apoplexy, ciirvature of the spine,
gout, and general debility. Sixty thousand people had been
permanently cured by its use. McLean's Volcanic Oil Liniment
cured everything not taken care of by the Great
Invincible or the Belt.
Another contrivance calculated to bolster the body and
morale of debilitated humans was Dr. Banning's Patent
Lace, or Body Brace. This apparatus made no claim to
"miraculous powers such as the prevention of old age nor
the curing of confirmed consumption or any other humbug!!!
But does profess and establish, beyond successful
contradiction, the important fact, that Nature only
requires help! And that Help is here aflForded!!!" Advertising
under the slogan "Truth h Mighty" it was proclaimed
that "The object of this Instrument is to relieve
or cure the following Diseases, viz: Weakness of the Breast;
Bronchitis; Shortness of Breath; Pain in the Chest; Weakness
and Bleeding at the Lungs; Palpitation of the Heart;
Dyspepsia; Costiveness and Piles; Pains in the Back; Spinal
Curvature and Enlargement of one Hip and Shoulder;
Falling of the Bowels; Prolapsus Uteri; Irregular, Painful
or Profuse Menstruation; a Tendency to Abortion, and
Painful Pregnancy, and the bad shape incident to childbearing;
a disposition to drooping, lounging and weariness;
Hysteria, melancholy, causeless crying, and thoughts of
suicide; habitual Bilious Colic; Sea Sickness and Chronic
Diarrhoea; Milk-leg, with old Ulcers; Varicose Veins;
Pains, coldness, numbness, and swelling of the extremities;
Weaknesses peculiar to males and females, as such, whether
from solitary abuse, or the debility common at puberty.
The deformities of weak and rickety children, are greatly
under its control." This patent lace or brace was marketed
from the main office in New York through local agents and
drug stores in the West.
Perhaps something like this was the device which Dr.
William A. Ashton, an Eclectic doctor in eastern Indiana,