‘Hodgsons Genuine Patent Medicines/ Cure for the Itch’, 1836-1844

Description

Mounted hand coloured etching, entitled ‘HODGSONS GENUINE PATENT MEDICINES / CURE FOR THE ITCH’, designed and etched by anon, and published by Orlando Hodgson, between 1836-1844.

A fiddle player in old patched clothes, presents a surprised Chemist and Druggist with a broken fiddle. The Chemist and Druggist stands behind the shop counter, behind him are shelves with carboys and glass shop rounds.

Lettering below the design reads: “I hear Sir you are famous for Doctoring the Scotch Fiddle, so I have brought you this, it was bought in Edenboro and has got a little out of order, you see, coming over on the Steamer.” The Scotch Fiddle was a colloquial term for venereal disease.