Schenck's Pulmonic Syrup-Consumption Cure,Optical Illusion Trade Card-1845-1855

Description

Schenck's Pulmonic Syrup-Consumption Cure, Optical Illusion Trade Card-1845-1860
5.25"x 3.5"
A Victorian trade card of more than passing interest. It advertises a cure for "Consumption" also known as tuberculosis, and when you hold it up to the light the little girls, and their cat, open their eyes. Kind of spooky when you consider that the subject of the card is a supposed cure for a fatal disease. The optical trick called for very thin paper to be used so it's naturally somewhat fragile. It's not brittle, it's just that it's on thin paper. It's survived this long with only a couple of small condition issues, as noted above. The paper is in good condition, just thin. It has a plastic sleeve to protect it while allowing it to be handled.
Schenck was an MD in Fairmont,PA ,but there doesn't seem to be an obituary for him. His 'cure' disappeared from the record around 1860 although I see a pamphlet for his Mandrake pills dated 1862. This cure-all was fun to research so if you like falling down the rabbit hole, check this out.