Title
Gold Medal Creosoted Extract of Malt
Author
S. Pfeiffer Mfg. Co., St. Louis, Missouri
Image
Description
Gold Medal Creosoted Extract of Malt is an early 20th century proprietary pharmaceutical preparation marketed as a stimulating expectorant for coughs associated with colds. The product is housed in a dark amber glass bottle with a paper label and metal screw cap, containing a malt-based formulation enhanced with medicinal additives.
The label lists the active and supporting ingredients as guaiacol, menthol, ammonium chloride, glycerin, and sugar syrup. Guaiacol, derived from wood creosote, was widely used at the time for its expectorant and antiseptic properties, particularly in respiratory conditions. The malt extract base provided both a palatable carrier and a perceived nutritional benefit.
Directions indicate frequent dosing, including hourly administration initially, reflecting the aggressive treatment approaches common to the period. The inclusion of menthol and ammonium chloride further supports its role as a cough remedy, intended to loosen secretions and ease breathing.
Condition
Original labeled bottle with intact paper label showing minor edge wear and light staining. Glass is intact with expected surface wear. Original metal cap present with oxidation. No significant structural damage.
Gallery
Historical context
In the early 1900s, creosote-derived compounds such as guaiacol were widely incorporated into cough remedies and treatments for respiratory illness, including tuberculosis. These products were part of a transitional era in medicine, bridging traditional remedies and more standardized pharmaceutical formulations.
Malt extracts were commonly used as a base, believed to provide strength and nourishment while masking the harsh taste of active compounds. Preparations like this were sold both over the counter and through physicians, often occupying a gray area between legitimate pharmaceutical and proprietary medicine.
Curious Facts, Ephemera, and Trivia
Guaiacol is chemically related to creosote, a substance also used industrially for wood preservation.
The term “Gold Medal” was frequently used in branding to imply awards or superiority, often without verification.
The dosing instructions—hourly at onset—reflect a far more aggressive regimen than modern cough treatments.
Malt-based preparations were often marketed as both medicinal and nutritional supplements.
Excerpt
“Stimulating Expectorant for Coughs Due to Colds”
Why it is in the Cabinet
This bottle represents a classic example of early pharmaceutical cough preparations, combining recognizable therapeutic agents with period-specific formulation strategies. Its intact label and clearly listed ingredients provide valuable insight into the evolution of respiratory treatments and pharmaceutical marketing.
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