CHEMIST SHOPS

by Frank Sharman

Chemists until the end of the 19th century


Doubtless there were, from the market town's earliest times people who prepared medicines of one kind or another and the monks endowed by the Lady Wulfrun would, if they had followed monastic form, would also have had, and possibly distributed beyond their own walls, herbal remedies.  But centuries pass before we get clear records.  In 1792 we find from "Wolverhampton: a List of Trades and Occupations from the Town Rate Book, 1792", John Roper, 1964. In the City Archives at L91: F9) that John Mander is listed as a Chemist and Druggist at 34 and 35 Cock Street.  This was the firm which was to become Mander Weaver, manufacturing chemists.  There are also three others listed simply as "druggists": William Cook,  15 High Green;  Philip Deakin, 7 Dudley Street; and Abraham Harpur, 51 High Green.

An early Directory, Bridgen’s of 1838, lists Chemists and Druggists. These include three firms described as "wholesale": William Bayley; W. H. Lowe; and Mander Weaver and Co.. There are 14 other names listed, including Samuel Griffiths.

A trade directory of 1851 yields the following adverts for chemists.  They give us a good idea of what chemists might be doing at that time.

W. Fleeming (late Fleeming and Seyde) were at High Green.  He mentions, in small type, that he sells drugs and chemicals, but he mainly mentions scents, perfumes, essences and pomades, soaps, various sorts of vinegar, mustard, pepper, ginger, spices, kethups, soy, pickles, arrowroot, isinglass, gelatine, tapioca, medicated and other lozenges, candles, all sorts of lamp oils, oils, paints, varnishes, "a regular supply of leeches", horse and cattle medicines, genuine dandelion coffee, the Universal sauce, soda water, lemonade, coffee, shaving cream and eau de cologne. 

So this was not just a pharmacy, it was something like a grocer's shop or delicatessen and still with some elements of the drysalters. 

W. Hobbins, of 12 Dudley Street, advertises Hobbin's Balsamic Plaster which cures "the most violent coughs, colds, asthma, influenza and all pulmonary affections and local pains"; and Hobbin's Tooth-Ache Powder which not only cures the hitherto incurable toothache but also, spasms, especially in the stomach and bowels; and sudden attacks of epilepsy. 

At the foot of the advert Hobbin's Alterative Condition Powders appear, which appear to cure almost every known illness or defect in all horses and cattle.  At this time Wolverhampton was not only a market town, attracting local farmers, but it was full of horses used for every form of transport.  Veterinary preparations were likely to sell well.

W. Wootton (late Gorton), of Market Place, not only makes up prescriptions but sells patent medicines, oils and colours, perfumery, nail and hair brushes and dressing combs.  But his chief concern in this advert is Wolverhampton Sauce.  (It might be remembered that Worcesteshire Sauce was first made by a local chemist in Worcester).  Wolverhampton Sauce is "piquant and delicious" and has "fine seasoning and a peculiarly grateful flavour". 

Wootton makes and sells this sauce for sale wholesale, retail and exportation, and he says, perhaps a little optimistically, that it is "sold by all chemists, druggists, grocers, oilmen, etc. in every town in the Kingdom". 

Robert Jackson's more modest advert shows him as a chemist, druggist and ginger beer manufacturer.  Many chemists seem to have made what we would call soft drinks.  This line probably emanated from the selzer drinks, invented as a health drink, early in the 19th century,

Moving on to a trade directory of 1861, not a great deal has changed.  There are still plenty of chemists selling amazing cure-alls and a wide variety of other goods.

Mr. Burton is of interest as he describes himself as a "medical botanist" which is probably a fancy name for a herbalist.  Note also that he offers "strictly private" consultations, just as a doctor would do.
W. Fleeming, presumably still at High Green, though he doesn't say where he is, seems to be offering an even wilder selection of goods, amongst which the fact that he is the manufacturer of Taraxacum or Dandelion coffee is almost lost in the small print.  He is still the maker of Universal Sauce but also stocks Staffordshire Sauce, Worcestershire Sauce, Royal Osbourne and Severn sauce. Amongst the drinks there is "Schweppes Soda".  New additions reflect two of the obsessions of the age:  "Pulverhamcher's Medical Electric Chains for Rheumatism" and "Herring's Magnetic Brush and Comb". 

Fleeming also has syphons, syringes and enemas. And he still has "a constant supply of leeches".

Jackson has now taken into partnership his brother-in-law, Taylor, and they have moved next door into more commodious premises.
Robert Henry Lowe is near the cattle market on the Bilston Road , so that "farmers and dealers ... will find his shop most conveniently situated". 

He advertises and infallible cough mixture for horses and cattle, horse condition powders, "traumatic mixture ror cuts and raw wounds", gripe mixture for horses and cattle, Irish moss for feeding pigs and cattle, superior sheep ointment and fly gall ointment and more.

Somewhat alarmingly Lowe also offers to farmers "cheese and butter colouring". And just as alarmingly he sells Taylor's Condition Balls and Barber's Poisoned Wheat.  He does not say what these latter items are used for. 


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