Frank Swain is a science writer and blogger. He is based in the UK.
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Keep up to date with RSSThanks to Ian for this classic advert, seemingly dating to around the flu pandemic 1918. Just like the classic "Guinness is good for you" ads, Bovril tried to get in on the action by claiming their beef stock drink has prophylactic powers:
It seems to be a whole campaign, appearing everywhere, from pubs to plates, to magazines.
Thanks to the Advertising Standards Authority, private companies can no longer make unfounded medical claims for their products. It's not like anyone is profiteering from the current swine flu panic is it?
Oh wait, except chiropractors. And homeopaths. And herb sellers. The spamdemic is the best thing to happen to quacks since the last major global health scare.
Medicine & Health
Comments
I'm guessing that Bovril does more to help you combat influenza than chiropractic or homeopathy...at least it's got a little nutrition in it.
Posted by: Ian | May 1, 2009 5:59 PM
http://i475.photobucket.com/albums/rr112/mindmetoo/bovril.jpg
I think I have you beat with these :) Actual vintage ads.
Posted by: karl | May 1, 2009 6:20 PM
See the link, Thorazine!
Posted by: Tony P | May 1, 2009 7:27 PM
I'm personally a fan of calling it the aporkalypse. And I'm not sick, so I get to enjoy ridiculously cheap bacon. oh hell yes.
Posted by: nanoAl | May 5, 2009 7:03 AM
wow...they so wouldn't be allowed to do that nowadays.
Posted by: Lab Rat | May 12, 2009 10:24 PM
I found this old ad from Toronto: "The Secret's Out! Santa Claus Drinks BOVRIL the only reliable fluid beef And Never Grows Older"
Posted by: Jonathan | December 12, 2009 1:26 PM