The 1930s', dawn of the insecticides era ?
Street flea markets give you the opportunity to put your hand on gems, sometimes it's by pure chance that I find something. Recently (this was in Mont-Saint-Jean, Burgundy), I found this 16-page prospectus which was printed probably around 1938 or 1939 as it recounts the harvest conditions of 1937, and the insecticide in question was apparently first released on the market in 1936. This pamphlet for which I paid 1 € targets the growers and the copy bears on the lower-right corner of its front page the stamp of
an insecticide dealer, M. Harant, based guess where ? in Reims...;-) - I didn't make this up !.
The product here, Fluolite, seems to have ben short lived, there are no traces online and while I found a few references for
a product named Fluolite (and patented by Zeneca and Imperial Chemical Industries), it seems to be
pointing to another type of chemical, a fluorescent whitening agent. The insecicide promoted by this 16-page prospectus is manufactured by a company named "Groupement des Industries Chimiques pour l'Agriculture" (GICA), with its head office at 11 bis rue d'Aguesseau Paris 8th arrondissement (in the 1930s').
Leafing through this 13,3 X 21 cm prospectus is very interesting because it immerses you in between the agrochemicals dealers and the unsuspecting vignerons of the 1930s', and at a time when growers where still working on a very traditional way, tending their vines and plowing their soils. We learn about the type of pests and trials they go through, the yields they make, with or without these products. The vignerons at that time were often living with more modest means compared to today and I guess selling them this stuff was not so easy, but given the testimonies printed here (if they're authentic), some could afford. This advertising literature points unusually to the different wines regions of France, with testimonies that are supposed to come from real vignerons of these regions. Among several interesting details from these testimonies, we see that all regions were exploring the use of insecticides, and the people who testify of the benefits are often major wine players, presidents of local coops, mayors or other local dignitaries...
It is rare to find such a long text (16 pages) to vaunt an insecticide (the chemical companies learned modesty and prudence since), the tone is very reassuring, no danger, very efficient and so on. Note also that at the time the vignerons were willing to give their testimony, praising the chemicals they were using, we'd be happy to have a similar openness today for the massive use of vinification additives that are used by conventional wineries. Alas, if we read today's advertising pamphlets vaunting additives we see only the manufacturers' and the dealers words, the users (especially the wineries) prefer to keep a low profile and stay in the dark...
The broader picture that emerges from this reading is that (you'll leaf here through all the other insecticides made by this company) in the 1930s' French growers were apparently already prolific users of insecticides including arsenic-based ones and that they were already wary of their health effects.
Notice the picture above with the moustached vigneron and these hills covered with vineyards, this is a typical monoculture situation (possibly depicting Champagne) where pests proliferate easily. The sign in the middle of the drawing says " Fluolited vineyards = pest-damage forbidden".
I've translated a few lines for each page, and you can click on the Pdf link to get more details of these pages.
The hand-written notes in blue on certain pages seem to be a marketing trick to attract the attention of the reader, these notes have ptobably been printed with the rest.
Pictures on the sides : advertisements for Fluolite (the one on the right which suggests to fight the doryphores __Colorado beetles__ comes from this page of the Journal de Vienne et de l'Isère (Rhone) - 21st of august 1937)
In these conditions, Fluolite ranked far above all the other products and the following pages will give you the proof...
Before chossing an insecticide, remember that :
the labor costs, the routing of water are the same whether the products is efficient or not.
The number of sprayings is inversely proportional to the efficiency and the adherence of the product.
To diminish the number of sprayings you need to use a product that, all the while keeping its properties, will not alterate the other products to which it is mixed, it must be usable at the same time than the copper and sulfur sprayings.
You have to opt for a product that presents no risk of poisoning for the workers, the pets or game and whose toxicity will not poison the grapes and the wine.
For all these reasons, ease of use, economy, total safety, you will use exclusively Fluolite.
This is a powder composed of 47 to 49 % of fluor, aluminium bi-fluoride and sodium obtained through the decomposition of natural phosphates. Dosage is 1 kg per hectoliter of water or Bordeaux mix, it can be mixed to any type of copper/sulfur mix without changing its properties. Fluolite was proposed for the agriculture for the 1st time in 1936.
The important proportion of fluor in this product comes from the gaseous hydrofluoric acid, which yield a product with an unmatched purity. The manufacturing process which eschews any grinding averts the modification of the cristallization which plays a central role in the insecticide. -- Fluolite is not a poison
Fluolite : an insecticide for yields as demonstrated by figures
[Testimony] "I am pleased to tell you the following : I sprayed part of my vineyard (a 1,75-hectare surface) with nicotin and another surface the following day with Fluolite.
On the part sprayed with nicotin I picked 3200 kg with grapes that were very difficult to sort.
On the 35 ares sprayed with Fluolite I picked 1890 kg of very healthy grapes or at least with an easy sorting. No need to say that I'll keep using Fluolite this year.
Mr Maurice Doyard Collard, owner, secretary-general of the Syndicat des Vignerons de la Champagne delimitée Vertus (Marne), november 9 1937"
[note of the insecticide promoters :] Here the harvest volume per hectare reached 1830 kg for the part sprayed with arsenate and nicotin, and 5400 kg for the part sprayed with Fluolite, which makes 3 times more. (...)
In two contiguous Maisons of Champagne, the harvest volumes were in 1936 :
Maison L : 15 000 kg ; Maison C 21 000 kg ;
In 1937 : Maison L (with Fluolite) : 32 000 kg ; Maison C (with arsenate/nicotin) : 16 000 kg
In 1936 the two vineyards had been sprayed with arsenate & nicotin, L was making less than C, in 1937 with Fluolite L made twice the yields of C.
"Having used several insecticides on my vineyard, I can assure you that Fluolite gave me a full satisfaction, it is much more efficient than the other products I used. I'll keep using it next year.
Here are my yields : With Fluolite : 8400 kg per hectare - with other products : 3000 kg per hectare"
Mr Godbillon, Mayor of Ecueil (Marne), member of the board of directors for the Syndicat des Vignerons de la Champagne délimitée, november 17 1937" -- Fluolite triples the harvest
Fluolite : the efficient insecticide. Whatever the region where it is used, growers are unanimous, read their own words...
Fluolite in the Var :
"The results of Fluolite sprayings in Provence against cochylis and a green grasshopper named boudrague are the following :
__ I sprayed twice against cochylis, in may when it appeared and in june, and it was enough to stop the threat. I just finished picking and I didn't find any cochylis in the august outbreak.
__ Regarding the boudrague grasshoppers I noted 15 days in a row that all the grapes and leaved that got some Fluolite were intact, this pest doesn't eat on the fluolite-sprayed vines."
Mr Campagne, grower, Beauvallon, september 30 1937
I used Fluolite in a 1,5-hectare vineyard, spraying toward the 15th of may, 2nd treatment around june 30, I wanted to do a 3rd spraying but rains prevented me to.
I noted that the product is remarkably efficient : my harvest was totally healthy on that surface. I could compare with another surface that has not been sprayed with Fluolite and I noted the huge difference (like many owners did) : the cochylis pest had destroyed 3/4 of the grapes.
Mr H. Silvy, owner, Saint Maximin, october 22 1937.
Fluolite in the Cher :
This year I used Fluolite : I am very satisfied, given the harvest, and I urge my colleagues to use Fluolite.
Mr G. Dumaille, Chateaumeillant, november 15 1937
Fluolite in the Pyrénées-Orientales :
"I used Fluolite along with other products, it gave me full satisfaction".
Mr Porra, Bonaventure Elne, vice-president of the Fédération des Syndicats Viticoles des Pyrénées-Orientales, november 28 1937.
Fluolite in the Gard :
"I am very satisfied of Fluolite regarding a big push of cochylis (a single spraying was enough)".
Mr Mouton, owner, Comps, june 26 1937 -- For big yields... use Fluolite
Fluolite in the Gard (following) :
"A try of Fluolite on 2 hectares at our Chateau Tralepuy surprised ud by its efficiency and we'll keep using it next year on the remaining 10 hectares of our property planted with different varietals."
Chapel brothers, growers, Roquemaure, october 30 1937
"I used Fluolite on a parcel and got fully satisfied, I'll use it on my whole surface next year"
MrPaul Turc, grower, Tavel, december 4 1937
"Having sprayed Fluolite on a parcel making about one hectare I was surprised by the result, the complte destruction of the grape worms, I'll spray my other parcels with it next year."
Mr Valery Vilette, grower, Roquemaure, november 4 1937.
Fluolite in Côte D'Or
"I followed your instructions to spray Fluolite on cochylis and eudemis, this was a full success, this product is very efficient."
Mr Gay, Ladix-Serrigny, august 16 1937.
Fluolite in Champagne
"I can right now attest that the results with Fluolite were excellent. I can tell that I'll order more for the 3 sprayings of next year that many growers will do."
Mr Mitouard, Jouy-les-Reims, october 4 1937
"This year I tried Fluolite for the 1st time, this powder gave me better results against the 2nd-generation cochylis and against the eudemis compared to lead arsenate and nicotin, be they mixed or sprayed separately."
Mr E. Bonville, grower, Oger (Marne), november 25th 1937.
"The results with using Fluolite are positive, I estimate that I had 90 % of healthy grapes at harvest. Whoever would spray it straight on the grapes would get a 100 % protection. Fluolite is very efficient."
Mr R. Bonnet, owner, Chamery (Marne), november 26 1937
"We've been fully satisfied with Fluolite"
MM Dussouter brothers, Noyers-le-Val (Meuse), october 10 1937.
"Having part of my vineyard in an area with pyrales I had very good results with Fluolite. I noticed that a road that had not been sprayed because we had no more Fluolite was completely eaten by pyrals. I consider I owe my harvest to Fluolite."
Mr Malissart, Mailly, Champagne (Marne), october 21 1937. -- To not get poisoned... Use Fluolite
Fluolite in Champagne
"This year I used Fluolite against cochylis and grape worms and I congratulate myself about it"
MrH. Couvreur, Tours-sur-Marne (Marne), september 39 2014
Fluolite in Anjou
"For the 1st time I did two sprayings with your Fluolite. In spite of the 1st being made a bit late and the 2nd in the right time, I obtained satisfying results.
By comparison with neighboring vineyards that were not sprayed with Fluolite, my grapes didn't suffer from cochylis attacks. My neighbors had all to face more-or-less serious attacks by colchydis and eudemis. Using Fluolite was beneficial."
Mr Chuat, Puy-Notre-Dame (Maine et Loire)
"I am pleased to tell you that this year I made on my Jasnières vineyards 2 sprayings of Fluolite mixed with a copper mix, and contrary to last year when I suffered losses by cochylis, I had an absolutely-healthy harvest."
Mr P. Langlois, President of the Syndicat des Viticulteurs de la Sarthe, december 7 1937.
"I can tell you that I didn't get colchydis in my vineyards this year"
Mr Sarazin,Rouille-sur-Loir (Sarthe), august 16 1937.
Fluolite in the Hérault
"I tried Fluolite at the same time as our mayor, first under the liquid form and then as powder, and I noticed that the cochylis worms as well as other insects had died on the grapes".
Mr Constant, grower, Adisson.
Fluolite in the Vaucluse
"Wholly satisfied of my use of Fluolite on a parcel that was completely under attack : I'll keep using this product"
Mr C. Cambon, grower, Sainte-Cécile-les-Vignes, november 26 1937
"having made a try with Fluolite one a one-hectare surface, I noticed that there was no trace there of grape worms."
Mr G. Archambaud, grower, Vaqueyras, november 20 1937.
"having used Fluolite to treat part of my property, I was very satisfied with the result. I plan to generalize its use on the rest of my vineyards and thus preserve them against any cochylis attack."
Mr G. Roux, grower, Gigondas, november 21 1937 __ etc. etc... -- Fluolite on the vines ... vines saved
Fluolite : a product with a high covering capacity
The high covering capacity of Fluolite is because of its great finesse and low density. For a better protection of foliage the thickness of an insecticide doesn't count, the only important thing is a total cover of the armor. [...]
The feeble density and the fineness of Fluolite gives it a triple covering capacity compared to other insecticides.
[...]
Fluolite : an insecticide with a good adhesiveness
The summer of 1936, the first year Fluolite was ever used, was the scene of important and frequent downpours. In the north in particular, there was virtually not a single day without rain. In spite of the daily rains Fluolite sticked on the fruit during two months [would they dare to print such a thing today ? ;-) ].
"At the harvest on the fruit trees sprayed with Fluolite, many fruits showed traces of the product (last spraying july 28 -- harvest september 25). Fluolite and Cuivrox have thus a good adhesiveness. The best of the other parcels, which was sprayed with other products didn't yield a lower percentage of wormy fruit compared to the one that got sprayed 3 times with Fluolite."
Direction des Services Agricoles du Nord [an agrarian administration], Lille (Nord), november 3 1937.
Fluolite : the insecticide that doesn't burn
Fluolite does not harm the shoot, on the opposite, it strengthen and revegetate it
Fluolite : it can be sprayed together with copper and sulfur
Fluolite not only retains its insecticide capacity when mixed with copper and sulfur, it doesn't interfere with the fungicidal properties of the other products, but it also augments their adhesiveness and thus maximizes their efficiency. That's why you don't need to add adhesiveness enhancers to your copper-sulfur sprayings. We can provide growers with our own copper-Fluolite mix, a subtle blend of our two products, Cuivrox and Fluolite. -- Fluolite wisely... certainty of yields
Fluolite : the safety insecticide
If you don't want to expose yourself, your employees, your pets or poultry to the risk of death, read this :
"One of our neighbors was spraying his arsenate on a potato field, in spite of all the precautions he took, he felt a burn in one of his hands. In the absence of immediate care his pain increased and after a few days he had to be amputated of one hand. You can imagine the fear in the region and the unanimous determination to leave the doryphore keep ravage the fields, but with the secret hope to be able one day to use a product as efficient and less dangerous in its manipulation."
Mr Fourré, 34 rue de la Bretonnerie, Poitiers.
Read also this :
"Arsenate products create trouble : not far fropm here a cow died after drinking in an improperly-cleaned container. In the farm of Mr Goury, at au Plaisir near Tonneins, 15 turkeys died from a total of 30 after having wandering through a potato field that had been treated with arsenate."
Mr Barbariche, Clairac (Lot-et-Garonne); september 24 1936
Use Fluolite, this is not a poison
This is true for humans, pets, poultry and game.
As a result Fluolite can be used in all seasons on all crops (in particular on vegetable strips). No special precautions. No legal restrictions for its use. Fluolite is the only product that can be used if necessary the day before the grape harvest.
proofs of the harmlessness of Fluolite
"I used your Fluolite with success to exterminates the Colorado beetles [doryphores in French] that were plentiful that year. As indicated I left my poultry ans pets wander around and they even went to feed in the sprayed field, I didn't get any poisoned hen, unlike the previous year where I used arsenate." [footnote of the authors of this prospectus : the insoluble arsenate products left on the grapes end up in the wine]
Mr Malavergne, farmer in Evirat (Dordogne), november 8 1936
"I can certify that Fluolite doesn't poison the poultry, as my hens were every day in my potato field, picking up the dead larvae."
Mr Lavrault, Guinea fowl breeder, Melle (Deux Sèvres), november 1 1936.
"I can add that like your poster and advertisement says, Fluolite is neither dangerous for animals or for the day laborers who manipulate it."
Mr Perrier, owner, Condat (Dordogne), november 6 1936. -- To not get poisoned... choose Fluolite
Fluolite makes you save money
The accounting of one of the largest viticulture farm of Champagne brings out these figures about the quantity of products used in the sprayings (prices are for 1938) :
Sprayings with arsenate and nicotin
First spraying : 1200 liters, 12 kg arsenate at 6 Francs = 72 Fr
Second spraying : 1200 liters, 12 kg arsenate at 6 Francs = 72 Fr
Thirds spraying : 1500 liters, 1/4 liter of nicotine sulfate at 40 % per 100 liters (at 45 Frans per liter) = 168,75 Fr
Fourth spraying, 1500 liters, same thing = 168,75 Fr
For the last two sprayings, wetting agent added : 1,5 liter per spraying at 19 Fr/lt : 57 Fr :
Total : 538,50 Fr
Sprayings with Fluolite :
First spraying : 1200 liters, 12 kg of Fluolite at 9,5 Fr = 114 Fr
Second spraying : 1200 liters, 12 kg of Fluolite at 9,5 Fr = 114 Fr
Third spraying : 1500 liters, 15 kg of Fluolite at 9,5 Fr = 142,5 Fr
No wetting agent or adhesiveness enhancer
Total = 370,50 Fr
Using Fluolite makes you save 30 %, besides the economy in labor costs and in water transportation and not counting the easiness of use (1 product instead of 3) and the economie on the adhesiveness agent for the copper mix.
Taking into account that some growers often use arsenate products at the concentration of 1,5 or 2 kg per 100 liters, using Fluolite instead is even more profitable. -- To save money... Use Fluolite
When to use Fluolite
According to the growers experience, ther's no need for directives, and in most wine regions there are official correspondants who publish in local newspapers the forecast about pests developments, telling in the way when to spray.
The objective is to cover the grapes with a Fluolite coating at spawning time so that the issuing worms get poisoned when they try to get into the grapes.
Three Fluolite sprayings are enough in general
In general these sprayings must take place :
First spraying : 15 days before blossoming
Second spraying : at blossoming
third spraying : a few days before the veraison, in general betyween july 1st and 15th.
In case of a strong attack of pyrales when the young leaves grow, use the Fluolite mix at 1,5 %, the needed quantities being lower at that stage.
Fluolite avoids the damage by the boudragues [grasshoppers] which are feared by so many growers along the coast.
Take advantage of the copper sprayings to spray Fluolite at the same time
Coat the grapes on all sides with the Fluolite armor, if need take leaves out to better reach the grapes.
Fluolite must be dosed at 1 kg per 100 liters of water or copper mix.
For altises, spray when the pests appear.
Fluolite having a good adhesiveness, no need when used along the copper mix to add an adhesiveness agent to the latter. -- Fluolited vineyard.... Saved vineyard
If you don't fear pyrales, still use Hibernite Hibernite is a liquid concentrate soluble in water, it is 20 % ortho-dinitro crésol with 10 % sulfonation products.
Hibernite is a strong anticriptogamic agent
Hibernite is a potent insecticide
How to use Hibernite :
Dissolve 1 kg in 100 liters of water, don't add any other product in the solution and use it only when the foliage is at rest. Spray the vine and rootstock with a high-pressure sprayer (7kg-pressure minimum) with a straight concentrated stream on all sides. Don't use Hibernite when there's a risk of rain, it wouldn't be as efficient when diluted by the rain. Use 500 liters for one hectare, or 5 kg of concentrate.
To treat apoplexy, esca and cour noué, diseases against which until now nothing worked,
strip the roots bare on the vinestock and spray them with 5 or 6 liters of a solution of 1 kg Hibernite diluted in 400 liters of water.
Results with the use of Hibernite
Hibernite is only interesting for growers because of the augmented harvest volume and its better quality, 10 times the product costs at least.
To realize exactly the potential gain with the use of Hibernite, leave rows unsprayed for a test, and harvest separately.
Hibernite kills pyrale caterpillars as well as the larvae of all insects hibernating under the bark of the vine.
Hibernite kills all the criptogamic germs
Hibernite turns the old bark into chips that fall by themselves from the vine and are replaced by a neat, smooth and grey bark.
Hibernite gives stregth to the vines, the foliage is thicker, with a darker green.
Hibernite in the case of a pyrale threat just saves the harvest and in all cases aumgents significantly its volume and quality.
Use Hibernite, water of youth for the vineyard with a cost price of 1 or 2 centimes per vine.
[ Here again the company pushed for another of its products, a copper mix ]
Against mildew, use Cuivrox
The reasons are the following :
Cuivrox because of its copper nature can't burn the delicate foliage
Cuivrox has a very good covering capacity thanks to its thinness (sieve 300)
Cuivrox has a very good adhesiveness thanks to which spraying volumes can be significantly decreased, thus saving money in copper and labor
Cuivrox particles remain in suspension in water, these mix don't "break" like the usual copper-sulfates.
Cuivrox is ready to use.
With Cuivrox no need to prepare fresh lime, no need for litmus paper.
Cuivrox can be used indiferently under liquid or powder form, its thinness allows low costs even on the latter form.
Cuivrox dosage
16 to 17 % copper from metal copper oxychloride
How to use
Dilute two kilograms of Cuivrox in 100 liters of water or Fluolite mix.
What users think of Cuivrox :
"You are right to point to the good adhesiveness of Cuivrox : sprayed around june 15, and in spite the rains and hailstorms it's still easily visible on the vines."
Mr Verley, Fouzac (Hautes-Pyrénées); july 21 1936
"I noticed how valuable Cuivrax is for sulfur sprayings, it kept the leaves green until the october frost." Mr Perrier, Condat (Dordogne), november 6 1936.
"We're nearing the end of harvest and I give you the greatest praise for Cuivrox and its adhesiveness."
Mr Limet, engineer, Cosne (Nièvre), october 10 1937.
With Cuivrox, no dosage error, no fear of burns
To fight both mildew and grape worms, use the Fluolite-copper mix
Dosage : 16 % fluor, Double aluminum and sodium fluoride obtained through decomposition of phosphate.
11 % of copper oxychloride
Sieve particle-size 200
The copper Fluolite "V" mix is made through a blend of the two parts, it allows to fight two threats, mildew and grape worms, with a single product.
It avoids the frequent dosage errors when preparing spraying mixes. [...]
Important notice :
We deliver two types of copper-Fluolite mix :
The "V" mix intended for vineyards and potato fields
The "F" mix intended for fruit trees.
The content of both products is different, like their dosage and preparation (3kg/hectoliter for the former, 2 kg for the latter)
You need to specify for which use you intend the copper-Fluolite mix ("V" or "F").
[ Here again the chemical company pushes a few others of its products ]
You'll get rid of oidium more easily with using GICA's Black Sulfur [GICA stands for groupement des Industries Chimiques pour l'Agriculture]
This product is composed of 42 to 48 % of sulfur under the form of free sulfur. GICA's black sulfure offers the following advantages :
Thinness : only 4 % rejected by the #140 sieve
Stronger adhesivenness compared to other sulfurs
Works not only against oidium but also against pests
Cost price 50 % under the one of yellow sulfurs
How to use : After settling the sprayers with the product's thinness, use it either pure or mixed with 30 % of finely-sifted lime, the same way and at the same time than for yellow sulfur
Or with using GICA's ventilated yellow sulfur
Garanteed content 99 % sulfur, thinness : 2 % rejected with #200 sieve
The capacity of a criptogamic product is significantly augmented by its thinness that allows a higher covering power
While ground sulfur and normal sublimed sulfur have a 60 % rejection with a #200 sieve, GICA's ventilated yellow sulfur gets only 2 %
This better thinness yields easier clods, to correct that and save money mix beforehand 20 kg of finely-sifted lime to 80 kg of ventilated yellow sulfur, it will better stick to the leaves and grapes. Works faster and lasts longer.
Or with using GICA's copper-yellow sulfur mix to cure both oidium & mildew
Dosage 70 % sulfur & 2,5 % copper obtained from dioxide hydrate
Very light
Very adhesive
Very thin (2% reject with #200 sieve), this product is much more efficient than all copper-sulfites prepared with ground sulfur or sublimated sulfur and containing copper under the sulfate form
use it at the average rate of 25 kg per hectare. [ Now, that's an information ! today, the maximum authorized amount for Bordeaux mix is 38 kg/hectare/year while with organic agriculture it's 6kg/hectare/year and many artisan-minded growers try to go much under this maximum ]
[ the prospectus ends with pushing a handful more insecticides, all made by GICA ]
If your vegetable garden is devastated by slugs, use Limaliteguaranteed result, Limalite attracts and kills slugs and snails
Limalite must be spread in small heaps every 70 cm in all directions, each heap with a volume of a spoon (2,5 grams), works also in humid weather and rain.
Against ants : Formigic
A very-volatile liquid product, the vapors of which kill or holds off ants durably. Can be used also when you know the location of anthills, either in the open or in furniture and cabinets. One coffee spoon is enough to kill a colony.
Against weevils, use Omultipl
Liquid insecticide whose vapors asphyxiate all insects, dosage of 1/4 liter for 10 hectoliters of cereal grains (wheat, peas or beans).
Omultipl also has good results for the destruction of wardrobe moths and carpet moths.
Against aphids, use CICA's liquid insecticide
Guaranteed dosage 4 % pure nicotin
GICA's liquid insecticide works against sapsucking insects, mix one part of the product with 20-to-40 parts od water
GICA's liquid insecticide doesn't burn the delicate leaves, it has wetting properties and it doesn't lose its effectiveness when stored. Recommended for aphids, psyllids etc...
Groupement des Industries Chimiques pour L(Agriculture - C.I.C.A. - 11bis rue d'Agesseau, Paris (8ème) -- phone : Anjou 67-99
To finish on a more humorous note, I stumbled upon this funny ad in a corner of the old newspaper page I linked to in the beginning of this story (published in a local newspaper in the Rhône valley in 1937) :
This is about__take a seat__ a liquor specially designed for ladies, recommended for all the ladies tired by the blood [ depressed ? ] and to prevent all diseases to which a woman is exposed [ follows a list of gynecology and delivery problems ] etc... Can be purchased in all pharmacies, 10 Francs 80 centimes, a guide book coming with each bottle. Available in all the pharmacies in Vienne [ Rhône ]
"Tired by the blood" (fatiguées par le sang) is a disused medical expression (possibly meaning melancholy or anemia) that smells more like the 19th century or even the 18th.
The ad doesn't tell the alcohol content or the exact composition of this drink, which may be an earlier version of our modern energy drinks... It could have included coca-leaf extracts as synthesized cocaine was used in manufacturing popular patent medicines, beverages and "tonics" until the early years of the 20th century...
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