Magnetic Personalities

Many artefacts do not make light work so, after hefting a box or two in preparation for another reminiscence event, I wondered what we might have on the shelves to soothe our aches and pains?

Obviously it would be a little unwise to take advantage of all the patent remedies on hand. They were largely produced in an earlier era when 'best before' dates had yet to make an appearance. But even so liniment, unlike fine wines, is unlikely to improve with age.

Some themes however are still with us; magnetic therapies continue to be routinely sold as cure-alls for all manner of unpleasant symptoms. Twas ever thus. Pictured here is a fine example from our own shelves of Magnetic Liniment that "draws out pain like lightning". I rather like the idea of a massive magnet held over my exposed knee and think a bit of lotion would have a far less bracing effect. Another case of nice packaging, shame about the science!