The Centaur Company

The Centaur Company was a pharmaceutical company established in the late 19th century, known for its production of Chamberlain's Colic, Cholera and Diarrhoea Remedy, a popular medicine of the time. The company was based in Des Moines, Iowa, and its products were distributed across the United States and internationally.

History

The Centaur Company was founded by Charles Henry Fletcher in 1871. Fletcher, a pharmacist by trade, had previously worked for the Demas Barnes & Co., where he developed the formula for the Chamberlain's Colic, Cholera and Diarrhoea Remedy. The remedy was a popular over-the-counter medication used to treat a variety of gastrointestinal ailments.

In 1871, Fletcher left Demas Barnes & Co. to establish his own company, The Centaur Company. The company's name was inspired by the mythical creature, the centaur, which was known for its healing abilities.

Products

The Centaur Company's flagship product was the Chamberlain's Colic, Cholera and Diarrhoea Remedy. The remedy was a mixture of camphor, tincture of opium, peppermint oil, and capsicum, among other ingredients. It was marketed as a cure for a variety of ailments, including colic, cholera, and diarrhoea.

In addition to the Chamberlain's Colic, Cholera and Diarrhoea Remedy, The Centaur Company also produced a line of other over-the-counter medications, including Castoria, a mild laxative for children, and Doan's Pills, a treatment for kidney ailments.

Legacy

The Centaur Company was one of the leading pharmaceutical companies of its time, and its products were widely used across the United States and internationally. The company's success can be attributed to its innovative marketing strategies, which included the use of colorful packaging and catchy slogans.

Despite its success, The Centaur Company faced criticism for its use of opium in its products, which led to addiction in some users. The company's practices were eventually regulated by the Pure Food and Drug Act of 1906, which required the labeling of products containing certain substances, including opium.

Today, The Centaur Company is remembered for its contributions to the pharmaceutical industry, and its products are still used in some parts of the world.

See also

• History of pharmacy
• Pharmaceutical industry in the United States