Punch,  49 (1865), 183.

The Sheffield Tonic for Children

Anon

Genre:

News-Commentary

Subjects:

Industry, Disease, Human Development


    Announces the discovery of a 'new tonic' by Mr Ironside of Sheffield, but explains that it is 'free caloric in combination with carbonic and sulphurous acid gas, and other gases the result of combustion'. Proceeds to describe the case of a young boy who was forced, by Ironside, to work long hours as a cellar-boy at a furnace. Ironside defended himself by arguing that the working conditions he imposed on the child had 'quite a peculiar effect in sustaining the youthful stamina', and Punch concludes that Ironside would claim that hot air impregnated with gaseous combustion products 'inhaled during hard labour for half a day, is the tonic for children of tender age'. Suggests that Ironside's 'tonic' will replace cod liver oil and that the inventor will be rewarded with a fellowship of the Royal Society.



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