This one weird conconction saved Mrs. Spittles from an early death (1918)

Clarke’s Blood Mixture’ was advertised as a treatment for a number of skin and blood diseases, including gout, rheumatism, scrofula, eczema and scurvy. In 1909, the British Medical Association estimated the cost of its ingredients (which were a mix of water, burnt sugar, potassium iodide, sal volatile, chloroform, and syrup sweetener) was the equivalent of half a penny . The maker, Lincoln Midland Counties Drug Co, claimed all skin and blood diseases “can only be cured by purifying the blood”. The advertisements often, although not this one, showed a picture of the packaging , so consumers could tell it was the genuine article . The treatment was available in the United Kingdom until 1968, although the original recipe had been altered.

The tonic was invented in the 1860s by Lincoln chemist Francis Jonathan Clarke. He was only 19 years old when he opened his first shop and put the Mixture on the market, and his commitment to massive advertising expenditure soon secured the product’s fame. Testimonials such as this from Mrs. Spittles were an important element of their marketing strategy.

Her husband Albert was the only civilian casualty in the village during WW2 when he was hit by a doodle bug whilst working on Manor farm.