Two bottles of "Laeyson's Odorous Powder"

Not much is known about this treatment despite its very distinctive name. A reference in a medical text published in 1832 in France suggests that it was a powder intended for use against eye complaints, which contained ammonia – this would explain the word ‘odorous’. The text also makes reference to the product being sold by charlatans – the author obviously considered this a quack medicine of dubious quality.

These particular samples were available for sale in France in the 1800s for 3 francs.