COCAINE TOOTHACE DROPS ENAMEL SIGN S/O*

THIS OLD TIME SIGN MIGHT HAVE BEEN SEEN DURING A SHORT PEROID WHEN COCAINE WAS LEGAL TO SELL, THEN IT BECAME APPARENT THAT THE DRUG WAS HIGHLY ADDICTIVE AND WAS NO LONGER SOLD TO THE GENERAL PUBLIC. (CIRCA EARLY 20TH CENTURY.)

German chemist Albert Niemann recognized the stimulant properties of the cocaine plant, and in the mid-1800s (ca. 1862) extracted the pure chemical, cocaine hydrochloride. In the early 1880s, the drug’s anesthetic properties were discovered, and it was soon used in eye, nose, and throat surgery. As physicians and other prescribers became aware of cocaine’s psychoactive properties, it was widely dispensed for anxiety, depression, and addiction treatment (primarily for morphine use).

Extravagant claims of its curative powers increased cocaine’s popularity; by the early 1900s, it was the main active ingredient in a wide range of patent medicines, tonics, elixirs, and fluid extracts. It is believed that the original formula of Coca-Cola® that was developed in 1886 by Georgia pharmacist John Pemberton contained approximately 2.5 mg of cocaine per 100 mL of fluid (Coca-Cola Bottling of Shreveport, Inc., et al., vs. The Coca-Cola Company, a Delaware Corporation, 769 F.Supp.671). This formula was sold as a headache cure and stimulant. Another pharmacist bought the rights and founded the Coca-Cola Company in 1892.

By the early 1900s, public health officials were becoming alarmed by the medical, psychiatric, and social problems associated with excessive cocaine use. These concerns from health officials and legal authorities played a major role in initiating and supporting the effort to pass the Harrison Narcotic Act of 1914. This Federal legislation severely restricted the legal uses for cocaine and, for all practical purposes, ended the extensive use and abuse of cocaine in the early part of the 20th century. Interestingly, cocaine hit a low during the 1930s when the advent of amphetamine almost eradicated demand.

THIS SIGN MEASURES 9" X 12" IS MADE ON 24 GUAGE STELL WITH AN ENAMEL FINISH,  THERE ARE HOLES FOR EASY MOUNTING.  THIS IS A S/O SPECIAL ORDER SIGN THAT NORMALLY TAKES 2-4 WEEKS TO SHIP.