Wednesday, October 30, 2013

1960s First Aid

Last week when we were home my mother fell while carrying a fish tank (don't ask).  The tank shattered into thousands of pieces and she banged up her knees and her elbows. 

We were out shopping when it happened, and when we got back to the house she came out with orange elbows and knees.  Mercurochrome, of course. 

If you're very young, you've probably never even heard of this antiseptic.  I grew up with it.  My brother and I, and most of my cousins, went through our childhood with red-orange dots in various spots on our bodies.

Ed said, "What's on her knees?"

"Mercurochrome." I said.

"What's mercurochrome?" he said.

Exactly.

The thing is, as far as I know, they don't even sell this in the United States anymore, and when I did a little digging, found out the FDA declared it "not generally recognized as safe and effective" and forbade the sale of it. 

In 1998.


It probably doesn't need to be said, but I'm going to anyway.

You do not want to get hurt at my mother's house.

Well, unless you don't mind fifteen-year-old mercurochrome seeping into your wound while she nurtures you with a hot cup of tea. 

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
2012: Far From The Soaking Of The East
2011:
Inspired
2010: Lucky To Be A Woman
2009: I Feel Like A Thief
2008: Emulating The Brazilian Bombshell
2007: HMMWVs
2006: She’s Still Learning
2005: Woof

5 comments:

Belledog said...

We escaped mercurochrome -- Bactine was already out, and heavily advertised, with pop culture type labeling -- but I would see that in medicine cabinets where I was babysitting.

Who doesn't like a little mercury with their minor aches and pains?

Is your mom getting fish, or giving up the pet fish habit?

Happy weekend. Heading out to do some canvassing for Terry McAuliffe for Tuesday's Virginia governor's election. Lovely day, and peak leaf lately. Have been taking photos for you -- shall email some later.

Ciao.

Belledog said...

PS: Hand sanitizer works great for cuts and scrapes and when the neighbor's cat nips you.

Lotso alcohol. Douse the wound.

And cat nips and scratches are the worst. Don't even want to think about what's on their little paws and talons.

Unknown said...

Oh my gosh, I had totally forgotten about the red stuff! We had it used on us ALL THE TIME when we were kids!

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