This is an advertisement for ‘Mrs Winslow’s Soothing Syrup’, this medicine was given to babies to soothe them when they were teething. It softened gums and reduced inflammation and was widely used. One problem was that it actually contained Opium. During the 19th century Opium was frequently used, poets such as Byron and Shelly indulged in ‘laudanum’, an alcoholic drink containing opium and medicines such as ‘Mrs Winslow’s Soothing Syrup’ were used to treat every sort of illness from colds to heart disease. The addictive properties of Opium were eventually recognised and it was banned, except for use in medicine.
