Written on the side is ‘Piso’s Trade Mark’, alluding to a medicine
company from the late 19th Century. It is likely that this glass bottle contained a medicine for tuberculosis, advertised as “Piso’s Cure for Consumption.” Text on the other side of the bottle includes ‘Piso Co Warren, PA.U.S.A’ The Piso Corporation was the largest employer in Warren, P.A. by 1895. The ingredients in this medicine usually contained opium, morphine, chloroform, cannabis, and alcohol. By 1906, Congress passed the Pure Food and Drug Act, public attitudes changed towards addictive chemicals, and by 1930, sales collapsed. Piso Corporation closed shortly after. Piso’s Cure is a prime example of the historic ‘Snake Oil’ Marketing.