Dr. Hayden's Viburnum Compound
I picked up this old bottle somewhere years ago, and it sat dormant in my closet with my other random glassware until I recently stumbled across it. I decided to do some background checking on it to find out about its history. What follows is what I've gathered from various Internet sources. The bottle looks a bit greenish to me, but glass-collectors call it aqua. The pictures are at the bottom of the page, and they are mine.
In summary, Dr. William Hayden created a laboratory for production of his successful Viburnum Compound in the middle of the 19th Century called the New York Pharmaceutical Company. Dr. Hayden also purchased the Massachussets Bedford Springs health resort in 1856.
Viburnum Compound is a tincture (composed mostly of alcohol) of Black Haw, which has been used historically for aiding the symptoms of menstrual cramps, and preventing miscarriage and abortion (from poisoning). So-called "uterine tonics" were first written about in the same period that Dr. Hayden's tonic was successful. Several sources indicate that the drink tasted quite bad, although one reference I found described it as sweet smelling and tasting. It was apparently popular (like many "medicines") during the prohibition period due to it being mostly alcohol.
One formula for the symptomatic treatment of dysmenorrhea is Hayden's Viburnum Compound:
Black Haw (Viburnum prunifolium) 6 parts
Cramp Bark (Viburnum opulus) 4 parts
Beth root (Trillium erectum) 4 parts
Clove (Eugenia caryophyllus) 4 parts
Cinnamon bark (Cinnamomum cassia) 3 parts
Orange peel (Citrus reticulata) 2 parts
Wild Yam (Dioscorea villosa) 2 parts
Skullcap (Scutellaria lateriflora) 1 parts
Coarsely grind herbs together, moisten with alcohol and let sit overnight. Add enough alcohol to make a 1:4 tincture, macerating for 2 weeks, or by making a percolation. Add 1 part simple syrup to the strained tincture to bring the strength to 1:5. Dosage is 5 � 15 mL, taken 3 � 4 times daily for severe cramping.
This picture shows the "DR.HAYDEN'S" script, as well as numerous bubbles and other imperfections in the glass. The "16 OZ." script can be seen in reverse through the bottle.
This picture is a closeup that shows the seam from the mold and more bubbles.
This final picture shows the underside, with its "VIBURNUM COMPOUND" script.
source
source