This one weird conconction saved Mrs. Spittles from an early death (1918)
Post date: Dec 12, 2015 6:3:29 PM
The Spittles were a new family to Wateringbury at the date of this advertisement from the Kent Messenger of 2nd May 1918. At the 1911 census Albert Spittles, a farm laborer born 1877, with his wife Alice, born 1878, both born in East Peckham, were living in Hermitage Lane, Boughton Montchelsea. They had 3 children, Albert, William and Lydia.
Advert also published in Coventry Evening Telegraph 12 October 1917 9 October 1917 - Sheffield Independent - Sheffield,
13 October 1917 - Dundee People's Journal - Dundee,
8 October 1917 - Leeds Mercury
Clarke’s Blood Mixture’ was advertised as a treatment for a number of skin and blood diseases, including gout, rheumatism, scrofula, eczema and scurvy. In 1909, the British Medical Association estimated the cost of its ingredients (which were a mix of water, burnt sugar, potassium iodide, sal volatile, chloroform, and syrup sweetener) was the equivalent of half a penny . The maker, Lincoln Midland Counties Drug Co, claimed all skin and blood diseases “can only be cured by purifying the blood”. The advertisements often, although not this one, showed a picture of the packaging , so consumers could tell it was the genuine article . The treatment was available in the United Kingdom until 1968, although the original recipe had been altered.
The tonic was invented in the 1860s by Lincoln chemist Francis Jonathan Clarke. He was only 19 years old when he opened his first shop and put the Mixture on the market, and his commitment to massive advertising expenditure soon secured the product’s fame. Testimonials such as this from Mrs. Spittles were an important element of their marketing strategy.
Her husband Albert was the only civilian casualty in the village during WW2 when he was hit by a doodle bug whilst working on Manor farm.