Dr. Seth Arnold's Balsam: A Rebus Mystery Solved (Almost)

The term rebus is exemplified in Figure 1. "Two bee oar knot two bee" is an easy rebus to figure out, while others are much more challenging. A simple definition of this unique concepts is; "A rebus is a code or reference where pictures, letters, or symbols represent certain words or phrases…"¹ Along with hidden image puzzle cards,² some purchasers of Victorian Era advertising used rebus puzzle cards to challenge peoples' abilities. An example is this card for "The Great Household Remedy," Dr. Seth Arnold's Balsam (Figs. 2 and 3). The text on the reverse side of the card offered this patent medicine for treatment of "Diarrhoea, Dysentery, and for all Bowel Complaints." Additionally, "FOR CHILDREN TEETHING" it could give "the little sufferers REST, SLEEP, HEALTH" and saves lives. A testimonial by James F. Carlen even claimed that sick children treated with medicines, different from Seth Arnold's Balsam, died!