Kendal Black Drop

Kendal Black Drop is a historical pharmaceutical preparation that was widely used in the 18th and 19th centuries. It was a potent form of opium, and was named after the town of Kendal, in the United Kingdom, where it was first produced.

History

Kendal Black Drop was first produced in the late 18th century in Kendal, a town in the North West of England. It was a proprietary medicine, meaning it was sold directly to the public under a trade name. The exact formula was a closely guarded secret, but it was known to contain a high concentration of opium.

Composition

The main active ingredient in Kendal Black Drop was opium, a powerful narcotic derived from the poppy plant. Opium contains several alkaloids, including morphine, which is primarily responsible for its pain-relieving and sedative effects. The "black drop" in the name refers to the preparation's thick, dark consistency, which was achieved by boiling down the opium in vinegar until it reached a syrup-like consistency.

Uses

Kendal Black Drop was used as a general-purpose pain reliever and sedative. It was also used to treat a variety of specific ailments, including diarrhea, coughs, and insomnia. However, due to its high opium content, it was also highly addictive, and its misuse could lead to serious health problems, including opium addiction.

Legacy

The use of Kendal Black Drop declined in the late 19th and early 20th centuries, as safer and more effective medicines became available. However, it remains a notable example of the early use of opium in Western medicine, and of the dangers of unregulated proprietary medicines.

See also

• History of pharmacy
• Opium
• Proprietary medicine