Gehrig Brothers Electo-motor Teething Necklace

Area of Science:

• Pediatric History
• Infant Care Practices
• Material Culture Studies

Background:

• Victorian patent medicines often contained dangerous substances like narcotics and alcohol to alleviate infant teething pain.
• Historical teething relief methods varied, with some proving harmful despite their perceived effectiveness.

Purpose of the Study:

• To provide historical context on infant teething and its remedies.
• To document and illustrate a specific 19th-century German teething necklace.

Main Methods:

• Historical analysis of patent medicine formulations and marketing.
• Descriptive and photographic documentation of a 19th-century teething necklace.

Main Results:

• Victorian-era teething medicines offered relief through harmful ingredients.
• A well-marketed German teething necklace from the 19th century is presented.

Conclusions:

• Infant teething discomfort has historically been addressed with varied, sometimes dangerous, methods.
• Understanding historical teething aids like necklaces offers insight into past infant care practices.