this post was submitted on 14 Jul 2026
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Vintage and Retro Ads, Promos, Fliers, Etc.

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These were sold under various Dr. Somebody's brands.

Even in the 1800's, reputable doctors knew arsenic was highly toxic, and they tried to warn people away from these products. But for a time, the pallor and waxy, death-like skin arising from arsenic poisoning was a beauty ideal.

At least dozens of deaths were attributed to the use of arsenic wafers as a beauty aid, and the true number might be much greater than anyone knows.

They were often advertised as being safe, as seen on this box.

dgZ6eMqZTJLQy90.jpg

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[–] verity_kindle@sh.itjust.works 16 points 1 week ago (2 children)

Safe Periodical Wafers for "female irregularities" = abortifacient. The mention of Tansy is the giveaway, the way the herb is mentioned is a sly way of implying that the wafers contained no herbs that are abortion-inducing, but if you want to make the attempt, they can't stop you.

[–] Tar_alcaran@sh.itjust.works 8 points 1 week ago* (last edited 1 week ago)

Pennyroyal is also mentioned and also a rather famous abortifacient. It has the added benefit that pennyroyal tea is actually rather tasty, as opposed to (I imagine) quite a few of the other options.

Thankfully these are just cosmetic.

Somewhat less fortunately, arsenic will kill you many ways, both slow and fast, but it's not likely to uhm... Create regular periods.

[–] velma@sh.itjust.works 5 points 1 week ago (1 children)

More evidence that outlawing abortion doesn't reduce the number of abortions - it just makes women more unsafe when seeking abortions.