Title
“5-Drops” – Myers Laboratories Inc.
Author
Manufacturer: Myers Laboratories, Inc.
Location: Warren, Pennsylvania
Image
Description
This amber glass bottle of “5-Drops” was produced by Myers Laboratories of Warren, Pennsylvania. Marketed as both an internal tonic and external rub, this product reflects the classic “snake oil” hybrid model—part home remedy, part liniment.
The front label features stylized typography and floral embellishments surrounding the prominent “5” trade mark. The rear label outlines both internal and external uses, with suggested dosing instructions involving sugar and warnings to avoid mucous membranes or eyes. The formula is composed of well-known volatile oils such as camphor, menthol, eucalyptus, and methyl salicylate—ingredients commonly found in patent medicines of the era.
Active Ingredients
Menthol
Oil of Eucalyptus
Oil of Cajuput
Methyl Salicylate
Gum Camphor
Condition
Amber rectangular glass bottle with original paper labels front and back, both in very good condition. Front label is lightly aged but clear. Rear label is intact with only minor staining near the dosing line. Original screw-top cap is present and lightly oxidized. Approx. 85–90% full of original liquid contents. No chips or cracks.
Gallery
Historical context
“5-Drops” was part of a broader trend in early 20th-century patent remedies that straddled the line between folk medicine and over-the-counter therapy. The product’s positioning as both a systemic remedy and topical liniment was not unusual for the time, when volatile oils were believed to “stimulate circulation” and “cleanse the system.”
The inclusion of methyl salicylate, derived from wintergreen oil, is notable—while effective in small amounts for muscle pain, it could be toxic in large doses. Products like this blurred the line between medicinal and medicinally dangerous, often relying on heavy marketing and customer loyalty rather than formal regulation.
Curious Facts, Ephemera, and Trivia
The product directs internal dosing “on a little sugar” — a common carrier method before modern tablets or capsules.
Like many similar remedies, “5-Drops” uses the catch-all phrase “a beneficial aid to the system,” a classic vagueness that avoided strict claims while still implying broad benefit.
“Cajuput oil” is derived from the same plant family as tea tree oil and was used historically as an antiseptic and counterirritant.
Why it is in the Cabinet
“5-Drops” is a perfect example of transitional American patent medicine—still steeped in folk traditions, yet veering toward medical respectability with standardized ingredients and labeled dosing. It showcases the trust placed in volatile oil blends and the belief in cleansing or stimulating the “system,” offering a fascinating look at the blurred lines of therapeutic marketing before the FDA crackdown.
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