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Exploring the Charlatanism of Dr. Clark Johnson and His Indian Blood Syrup

Explore the life of Dr. Clark Johnson, a charlatan who sold the miracle cure-all Indian Blood Syrup. See pictures of old bottles, read instructions and more!
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I’m sorry. What the hell are you selling? Indian Blood Syrup?

Dr. Clark Johnson's Indian Blood Syrup advertisement in the Washington Post - February 3rd, 1881
Dr. Clark Johnson’s Indian Blood Syrup advertisement in the Washington Post – February 3rd, 1881

Wow, this appears to cure everything.

Dr. Clark Johnson was a complete charlatan and that doesn’t even do him justice. He was a phony and snake-oil salesman. He certainly wasn’t unsuccessful hawking his wares, being quite the creative entrepreneur when it came to bilking people of their hard-earned dollars. Johnson even had a book published, detailing his years spent living among the Comanche and Apache tribes. It was a complete fabrication, meant to drum up business and give an air of authenticity, but sadly, promoted as fact and taken as fact.

I found some photos of an old bottle online at antique-bottles.net of course!

Dr. Johnson's Indian Blood Syrup
Dr. Johnson’s Indian Blood Syrup
Dr. Johnson's Indian Blood Syrup
Dr. Johnson’s Indian Blood Syrup

The instructions are the best.

Should this move the bowels too freely, reduce the dose. If not enough increase it.

Lovely.

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Ghosts of DC stories.