Old print advertising is weird. Some may be boring, but if it’s not boring then it’s very weird. Case in point—Rough on Rats. Rough on Rats was a poison (arsenic) that was developed and marketed to kill all sorts of vermin by Ephraim Wells of New Jersey. Mr. Wells, a druggist, advertised his product nationally in large amounts and, it’s weird. Kind of funny. More than a little bizarre. Evidentially, used in Nebraska.
The cover Perhaps more disturbing, in this 1886 Rough on Rats Almanac and Dream Book, is the advertising of medicines for human consumption. Honestly, I think one would be hard-pressed to find a person who feels comfortable ordering their bile, pile, itch or worm remedy from a rodenticide catalog.
Have fun perusing tidbits from this little book from our collection.
However, if you prefer music to literature, how about a Rough on Rats song?
And since it is an almanac and dream book there’s some information on moon phases and what your dream imagery means. Hope it’s helpful.
