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For your complexion: Arsenic wafers! (1889) (media.piefed.ca)
submitted 4 days ago by EnmebaraGuesser@piefed.ca to c/vintageads@sh.itjust.works
14 comments fedilink hide all child comments

These were sold under various Dr. Somebody's brands.

Even in the 1800's, reputable doctors knew arsenic was highly toxic, and they tried to warn people away from these products. But for a time, the pallor and waxy, death-like skin arising from arsenic poisoning was a beauty ideal.

At least dozens of deaths were attributed to the use of arsenic wafers as a beauty aid, and the true number might be much greater than anyone knows.

They were often advertised as being safe, as seen on this box.

dgZ6eMqZTJLQy90.jpg

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[-] verity_kindle@sh.itjust.works 15 points 4 days ago

Safe Periodical Wafers for "female irregularities" = abortifacient. The mention of Tansy is the giveaway, the way the herb is mentioned is a sly way of implying that the wafers contained no herbs that are abortion-inducing, but if you want to make the attempt, they can't stop you.

[-] Tar_alcaran@sh.itjust.works 7 points 4 days ago* (last edited 4 days ago)

Pennyroyal is also mentioned and also a rather famous abortifacient. It has the added benefit that pennyroyal tea is actually rather tasty, as opposed to (I imagine) quite a few of the other options.

Thankfully these are just cosmetic.

Somewhat less fortunately, arsenic will kill you many ways, both slow and fast, but it's not likely to uhm... Create regular periods.

[-] velma@sh.itjust.works 5 points 4 days ago

More evidence that outlawing abortion doesn't reduce the number of abortions - it just makes women more unsafe when seeking abortions.

[-] verity_kindle@sh.itjust.works 1 points 4 days ago

Well, abortionists cannot be trusted to keep clean clinics, there's no incentive when they're competing for customers against the abortion pill. They've always put revenue first, just like the "Dr. Simms" manufacturer.

[-] GalacticGrapefruit@lemmy.world 3 points 3 days ago

I think you're on the wrong internet. This is the one that prefers evidence-based treatment over religious fiction. You're looking for a different reality, kid.

[-] ICastFist@programming.dev 2 points 3 days ago

abortionists cannot be trusted to keep clean clinics, there’s no incentive when they’re competing for customers against the abortion pill

things that can only be true in USA, where health secretaries and medics will actively work against vaccines because they stand in the way of profit.

[-] terranoid@lemmy.cafe 5 points 4 days ago* (last edited 4 days ago)

YES SIR THIS IS GUARANTEED COMPLETELY SAFE

HARMLESS TO ANYBODY

IT SAYS SO RIGHT ON THE BOX

WOULD AN UNREGULATED INDUSTRY OF SNAKE OIL SALESMEN LIE

[-] EnmebaraGuesser@piefed.ca 6 points 4 days ago

I have to think that we have not come very far. Today, no arsenic wafers, but an epidemic of mental health crises, and people get plastic surgery to look like distorted Instagram-filter version of themselves.

[-] ICastFist@programming.dev 1 points 3 days ago

Don't forget the thousands of children that are doing entire fucking "skincare rituals" and unknowingly fucking up their faces because:

  • all the shit they're using is meant for adult skin
  • they're kids and their skin isn't as rugged as an adult's
[-] velma@sh.itjust.works 5 points 4 days ago

"Warranted completely harmless" hahahahahaha

[-] drre@feddit.org 4 points 4 days ago

German Wikipedia article about people (and horses) eating arsenic for endurance and weight gain

https://de.wikipedia.org/wiki/Arsenikesser

[-] thagoat@lemmy.dbzer0.com 2 points 4 days ago

I just watched an episode of dangerous history and they talked about this product. Blows the friggin mind, man.

[-] NigelFrobisher@aussie.zone 1 points 3 days ago* (last edited 3 days ago)

Come an’ get yer yassification biscuits! Now with new improved fatality rate.

this post was submitted on 14 Jul 2026
42 points (100.0% liked)

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