My Ancestors

The internet brings much uninvited rubbish and a few hidden gems. One such jewel was a 100 page publication that had hitherto somehow quite escaped my attention, namely James Haffenden’s 1820 Account of that Most Excellent Cordial and Restorative Medicine, de Coetlogon’s Vulnerary Styptic and Balsamic Tincture, which Is Prepared (Only) and Lately Much Improved from the Original Recipe of Dr. De Coetlogon. In case you don’t already have a copy to hand, it can be found here https://archive.org/details/accountofdecoetl00haff

What I love about this book is that it mentions not one, but two of my direct ancestors. First there is the case of Thomas MILLEN my 5 x great grandfather where on pages 37-38 we learn that…

Thomas Millen, sen. of Bethersden, was a few years since, taken with a pain in the side, which was quickly followed by a very severe fit of the Cholic, and happening to have some of Haffenden’s Cordial and Balsamic Tincture in his house, he immediately took a large table spoonful, and not finding it to answer so well or as quick as he wished, he repeated it, by taking a still larger dose than the first, and which had the desired effect, as it immediately took away the pain, and the medicine afterwards gently operated by stool, (which it will do in large doses) and which entirely carried off all the symptoms of the complaint both of his side and bowels, and rendered him quite easy and comfortable. I have several times before heard him relate the above particulars, with this remark, that people in common do not take a sufficient quantity of the Tincture for a dose to answer the purpose in the Cholic, &c. this is certainly the case in this and some other complaints, by taking it too sparingly, and not continuing the use of it long enough to have the wished for effect; by so doing, the patient is disappointed and lays the fault on the medicine which it did not deserve; and by so doing thinks indifferently or meanly of a most noble and efficacious medicine, which in justice ought to be better spoken of. Thomas Millen wishes the above case to be made public, the account of which, I had, more particularly, from his own mouth this day.

And then, on page 73, my 4 x great grandfather Richard JARVIS (1768-1840) and his second wife Mary JARVIS (nee COPPENS) (1779-1831) …

… do declare, that the statement of the foregoing case is true to the best of our recollection, and that our cousin, Richard Jarvis, was cured while at our house, in a short space of time of a very desperate complaint, Consumption and Bloody Flux, solely by taking Haffenden’s Restorative Tincture, is what we are ready at any time to attest on oath, if required. Richard and Mary Jarvis.

And ‘the foregoing case’ in full is detailed by cousin Richard, who …

… stated that he was taken about three years ago, (now seven years) with cold shiverings and pains in his breast and inside, which was in consequence as he supposed, by putting on a damp shirt, he was thereby confined to his bed several weeks, and continued in violent pain all over, but afterwards the pain abated, but he was so reduced thereby, that the doctors pronounced him, to be in a deep decline, and about the middle of June, 1814, he was taken with a violent bloody flux, which the doctor could not step, for he continued to bring away entire blood. By the advice of his physician, he came into the country, for change of air, in consequence of this he came to his relation’s house, Mr. R. Jarvis, Farmer, in Bethersden, and by the advice of his cousin, he came to the Proprietor for a small bottle of his Tincture (August 20, 1815), which, by taking as directed, in two days time he found great benefit, and by the time he had taken half the bottle, the flux of blood was entirely stopped, but he still continued to take it, as he found it did him, so much good, in regard to his otherwise ill state of health, until he had finished taking three small bottles; he found his appetite much better by the time he had taken the first bottle, and now this 30th day of September, 1815, the day he left Bethersden to return again to London, he declares himself as well as he was before he was taken ill, and has been nearly as well for some weeks past. He was about twelve weeks under the care of one of the most eminent physicians in London, from whose medicines he found relief, but afterwards his complaint gained ground, and the same physician and several others he had applied to, declared it would be no farther use to take any more medicine, but the country air and nourishing diet were the only means likely to do him good; but, however, immediately on his arrival at his cousin’s house, in Bethersden aforesaid by being advised to try the effects of the Balsamic and Restorative Tincture (properly so named) he received immediate benefit, and the flux of blood was stopt, which no change of air ever could effect, even if he had waited for it; and likewise, from the Tincture curing him in so short a space of time of a very bad consumptive complaint, is another proof of the wonderful effects of the aforesaid Balsamic and Restorative Tincture. Therefore, I Richard Jarvis, having received such very great benefit myself, I consider it a duty incumbent to recommend the aforesaid invaluable medicine to others, and to make my case public for the benefit of those afflicted with the like complaints.

So there you have it. Early nineteenth century medical advice. Overdose on the medicine; we make more profit; something is likely to happen; and we can get those for whom it works to endorse our products. Not much changes does it? … I wonder how much my ancestors negotiated in return for their endorsements?

On a slightly more serious note, the benefits of vinegar as an aid to digestion and gut health have been known about for centuries, and are back in fashion, though it’s usually apple cider rather than balsamic e.g. https://www.bbcgoodfood.com/howto/guide/health-benefits-apple-cider-vinegar.