Title
Dr. Cumming’s Vegetine Bottle
Author
Dr. Cummings
Image
Description
This is an aqua glass bottle embossed “DR. CUMMING’S VEGETINE”. The rectangular-bodied bottle features rounded shoulders, a short neck, and a flared applied lip. Air bubbles and irregularities in the glass suggest it was blown-in-mold during the late 19th century. Vegetine was promoted as a “blood purifier and restorative tonic” made from a proprietary blend of roots, herbs, and barks.
Condition
Light clouding and interior residue. No major cracks or chips visible. Embossing remains clear and readable. Typical wear consistent with age and use.
Gallery
Historical context
Vegetine was marketed in the late 1800s as a cure-all. While most bottles and advertising are attributed to Clausen & Cumming, multiple variations exist. The tonic was recommended for ailments ranging from scrofula and rheumatism to kidney complaints and “impure blood.” Its marketing leaned heavily on the appeal of natural plant-based healing during a period of distrust toward harsh mineral medicines like mercury or arsenic.
Curious Facts, Ephemera, and Trivia
Vegetine was one of many “blood purifiers” sold in the post-Civil War era, a booming market in patent medicines.
Advertisements claimed it could cure everything from scrofula to female weakness.
The tonic was sometimes suggested as an alternative to quinine for malaria sufferers.
Despite claims, most such tonics contained mostly alcohol, flavoring, and herbal extracts.
Excerpt
From an 1879 newspaper advertisement:
“Vegetine is composed of roots, barks, and herbs. It is nature’s remedy. It purifies the blood, invigorates the liver, strengthens digestion, and restores health.”
Why it is in the Cabinet
This bottle is a prime example of the patent medicine era and reflects both the public appetite for natural tonics and the marketing ingenuity of 19th century druggists. Its bold embossing and survival make it an excellent representative piece.
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