Our medicine cupboard was full of strange potions and elixirs when I was a knee-scuffed lad. Here are a few of the concoctions I recall.
Milk of Magnesia: this wasn't milk at all but it was at least white and came in a blue bottle. Not for your corn flakes.
Germolene: pink hard creme in a flat blue tin. Windowlene for germs.
Savlon: toothpaste for cuts. Not sure it was a good idea.
TCP: hospital smell in a bottle. What sickly kids niffed of at school. Strangely compelling, a smell to be followed.
Dettol: similar to TCP but brown. It could kill almost anything yukky.
Domestos: could kill anything, even Dettol. Reeked of ammonia.
Calamine Lotion: pink pina colada for itchy ikky bodies. Came in large demi-johns.
Andrews: fizzy drink powder for Mums and Dads after a sesh the night before.
Can you remember anything else?
Had all of those plus Vicks Voporub for blocked noses, Bonjela for mouth ulcers and a tiny bottle of smelling salts that felt like your nose was on fire. For model making I leant that Dettol is great for removing all the paint off a model, and Demestos for removing chrome off plastic parts. Still got a bottle of TCP in the cupboard. Well past its sell by date as used so rarely.
ReplyDeleteMmmm. TCP. The odour of hospitals in a bottle Yorkie. I was repelled and drawn to it at the same time!
DeleteAnyone remember Indian Brandy (or maybe 'Brandee').
ReplyDeleteIt was for 'tummy aches' and tasted peppery, as I recall.
Mish.
A new one on me Mish. I still get tummy aches.
DeleteDon't forget the syrup of figs to help the bowels, staple of my Grannny.
ReplyDeleteExcellent blog keep up the good work, always a good read.
Stay safe and happy gaming,
Willz Harley.
Thanx Willz. Glad you like the blog. Of course, syrup of figs. A spoonful of that made everything go down!
DeletePS. I'm not sure you should have had Domestos in your medicine cupboard Woodsy, as it's basically Bleach, which could kill you, if you drank enough !
ReplyDeleteMish.
Domestos was under the sink Mish. Youre right. I find the smell compelling like an old public baths.
DeleteFiery Jack - a bootpolish like tin of fiercely burning ointment for sprains. And Styptic pencil, rocket shaped container for when you cut yourself shaving!
ReplyDeleteFiery Jack. Heard of it but never felt its sting Wote. Styptic is new to me. Great word!
DeleteVaseline of course. Had and still use Savlon, Dettol, and Vicks Vaporub. Mum's nail polish remover was very useful if you glued your fingers together with Superglue, as it contained acetone. Not sure if modern non-acetone removers would work. Still keep a bottle on hand.
ReplyDeleteLove Vaporub when Ive got cold Paul. That tsunami of menthol Helps me get to sleep.
Delete"Blue Bag" for insect bites. not sure what it actually contained.
ReplyDeleteNope. Another new one Andy. Intriguing!
Delete