The Reese Formula

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According to its label, The Reese Formula was
“A Superlative Remedy for the Immediate
 Relief of Stomach, Liver and
 Kidney Trouble.”

 Photo courtesy James E. Casto.

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The shelves of many American drug stores once were lined with
 bottles of what were known as “patent medicines.” The term
 originally referred to medications whose recipes had been
 approved by the government. But in fact most patent medicines
 weren’t eligible for a patent, they were simply vegetable
 extracts laced with a generous dose of alcohol. The
 concoctions had colorful names and even more
 colorful claims. Their makers claimed they
 could cure or prevent nearly every
 ailment known to man, from
venereal diseases and tuberculosisto
 to colic in infants and even cancer.

One such patent medicine was The Reese Formula,
 which — if the label pasted on its bottles is to be
 believed — was produced in Huntington.

Paid advertisements in various newspapers recounted the story
 of Dr. H.V. Reese, “then a practicing physician in Huntington.
 W.Va.,” who was at death’s door with “severe stomach,
 liver and kidney troubles.” When he was unable to
 find help from any of the many doctors he
 consulted, in 1898 he resolved to
 undertake his own experiments
 to find a cure.

“After months of heart-breaking failures, he hit on
 The Reese Formula that completely restored
 his health. For years the doctor was
 urged by friends and users of the
 formula to bottle and sell it.
 This he has done.”

It’s a great story. Unfortunately, a check of the Huntington
 City Directory for the years 1898 through 1920 shows no
 “Dr. H.V. Reese” listed. Nor do the directories
 offer any clue of where in Huntington
 the good doctor’s wonderful
 medicine was produced.

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Note:  This Article and picture appeared in the Herald-Dispatch Newspaper on March 04, 2025.

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