OBSERVATIONS 
ON THE 
Present STATE, 
OF THE LATE 
Dr. WARD’s MEDICINES. 
To which is added an Account (from Experience) of their 
real Virtues and Efficacy. 
Addressed to the Public, by J, WHITE, Chymist. 
THE surprising efficacy of the late Dr. Ward’s medicines, by him 
administer’d, when other means for the cure of diseases had been 
tried in vain, is I believe, very generally known. His book of 
receipts for preparing and compounding the above medicines, he bequeath- 
ed at his death to John Page, Esq; of Watergate-House, an intimate 
friend of the Doctor's, a man of very ample fortune, and a gentleman of 
the most approved generosity and goodness of heart. This gentleman im- 
mediately after Mr. Ward’s decease (having in view the common good of 
mankind) considered of the best method by which these medicines might 
in future be genuinely prepared and come at by the lowest of his Majesty’s 
subjects, But although he was possessed of the receipts themselves, yet 
he acknowledges in a pamphlet to the public, that without the assistance 
of certain ingenious chymists who had prepared the medicines for Mr. Ward, 
his intentions would have been frustrated; many inaccuracies appearing 
in the transeript of those receipts, and many things requiring that explana- 
tion which could only be given by those accustomed to prepare them.
In the latter end ef the year 1762, his Majesty, upon the Application 
of Mr. Page, was graciously pleased to grant unto John White (then of 
the parish of St. Mary-le-Bone) chymist, a pension of 300l. per annum.
during his natural life, to the end, he might not suffer by the publication 
of the late Dr. Ward’s principle medicinal secrets, and also to encourage 
him to give his assistance towards causing the said medicines to be prepared 
in the most genuine manner, and dispensed to the public at very moderate 
prices. Receipts for preparing and compounding some of the above me- 
dicines were accordingly published, attested by my father the aforesaid 
John White, Mr. D’ Osterman, (another person to whom his Majesty 
was graciously pleased to-grant 200l. per annum on the same account) 
and the price of the medicines reduced so low, as to amaze many per- 
sons who had been accustomed to take them in Mr. Ward’s life-time, 
and almost to make them discredit the identity of them: and no wonder, 
when the White Drop which Mr. Ward sold for a Guinea (and which 
medicine my father discovered and alone constantly prepared for him) was 
reduced to the Price of One Shilling. 
The consequence of publishing those receipts was, that numbers of 
persons, immediately set to work to prepare the medicines; but without 
success; for although they followed the process set down, as exactly as 
possible, yet being unused to my father’s method of working, and unac- 
quainted with his particular systems, they found themselves baffled in the 
operative parts, especially in preparing the White Drop, which though some 
had proceeded with so far, as to be in outward appearance perfected, and 
that it would whiten water, yet it was found to be inefficacious, and 
(upon examination) very imperfectly prepared.

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In regard to another of the medicines, called Essence for the Head-Ach 
I am satisfied Mr. D’Osterman must have mistook when he gave the re- 
ceipt for preparing it; as I myself have had it applied to my head by 
Mr. Ward, and have frequently seen it at his house, of a rich golden 
colour; whereas that prepared by Mr. D’Osterman was clear and colour- 
less as water; nor had it the proposed effect: it might be efficacious in 
taking down swellings for which purpose I believe Mr. Ward made use 
of it, or something like it-As this preparation then, did not answer 
the expectation (being looked upon as little better than a commixture of 
spirits of wine and camphor) my father afterwards prepared the Essence for 
the Head-ach; and though I do not absolutely pronounce it to be Mr. 
Ward’s Essence, yet it is a most noble remedy not only for the head-ach, 
and other pains, but in many other cases I have (by experience) found it 
infallible.-This receipt then remains in my hands only, nor will I 
communicate it unless to my own family.
Another medicine, the receipt for preparing which was given by Mr. 
D’Osterman, as Mr. Ward's Liquid Sweat, he must have been likewise 
much mistaken in, at least with regard to the dose; for I appeal to any gen- 
tleman of the faculty, or any other person who has studied the medicinal 
art, whether thirty or even sixty drops of such a composition, can be sup- 
posed to raise a sweat: no wonder then, that this medicine came into dis- 
repute, by its not performing the expected operation; and indeed how 
should it (if even given to the quantity of a drachm) being only an in- 
fusion of saffron, opium in bits, salt of tartar and cinnamon in spirits of 
wine and white wine, jumbled together three or four times a day in a 
bottle and then filtered,—The preparation of this medicine was like- 
wise given up to my father, and by him greatly improved, as well by the 
addition of an ingredient, as in the process; since which its efficacy has 
been happily proved both by my father and myself, as I have never found 
any fever which did not (by a proper administration of it) submit to its 
force, and I have lately had three very severe ones to encounter with, two 
of the putrid, and one of the bilious kind.
As to the other medicines published in Mr. Page’s pamphlet, I shall say 
nothing more than, that I hope those who may think proper to prepare
them from the receipts given, will bestow all necessary pains and labour in, 
the thorough purifying the ingredients therein used, and in the levigation 
of the glass of antimony for preparing the red pill; the necessity for which 
is too obvious to need my observations upon. 
Having thus far shewn the necessity for a person being more fully in- 
structed in the process of making the White Drop (the principal medicine) 
than they can be from the receipt given, and the erroneous receipts and 
process for preparing two others, I leave it to the public to determine with, 
themselves, what considence they ought to repose in medicines prepared 
from such receipts, without the least further instruction from the person, 
who used to prepare them; nor is there any one, except myself, properly 
instructed by my late father in the preparation of these medicines; yet 
those now sold (as the late Dr. Ward’s) under the direction of Sir John 
Fielding and Mr. Dingley, are not prepared by me; and so little mo- 
desty or conscience have those gentlemen, that they have repeatedly since 
the death of my father, and Mr. D’Osterman, suffered their names to ap- 
pear to an advertisement in the public papers, setting forth, that the late 
Dr. Ward’s Medicines are to be had at Mr. Parker’s, book and print- 
seller in Cornhill, and at Mr. Marshe’s, bookseller at Charing Cross, and 
no where else in London, prepared by those people who prepared them in 
Mr. Ward’s life-time, and to whom his Majesty, for the public good, no 
allows pensions on account of said medicines, which they know to 
absolutely false. 
Another advertiser of Dr. Ward’s Medicines, I think I need say little
about.—He continues to prepare them, at the request of the Doctor's
footman (Mr. Moreton), who he tells the public is dead, and that he is
executor to him, and for whom he had the Direction of the medicinces ever


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since Mr. Ward’s death.—’Tis strange, that so noted a Chymist should 
be obliged to lug the Doctor’s dead servant in by the head and shoulders, 
to inform the public afterwards that he prepared the medicines in Mr. 
Ward’s life-time-But what medicines does he mean? The White 
Drop he shewed me on his counter he owned was of my father’s prepar- 
ing,—Others may very probably be the remainder of the stock left at Mr. 
Ward’s decease (for the Doctor was pretty well stock'd, I believe, at the time 
of his death, with such medicines as would keep); and I have the greatest 
reason to believe this is the case, as our advertiser acknowledged to me, 
that he has no receipt for preparing a supply of that medicine, which is 
called in his bill of particulars, the Fever Remedy, when his present stock 
shall be exhausted.-Besides this curious advertisement, the following 
words are painted on his window-shutters: By order of the executors, all 
the late Dr. Ward's medicines sold here.-Does he mean the executors of 
the late Joshua Ward, Esq; of Whitehall?  or does he mean, by order of 
himself and the other executor to the Doctor’s footman? If he means by 
order of the late Dr. Ward’s executors, and those gentlemen have really 
given him such orders, I must beg leave to remind them of their having 
given two hundred pounds to my father, on consideration of his not pub- 
lishing and selling their late uncle’s medicines (and particularly the White 
Drop) for the first six months after Mr. Ward’s decease.
I shall now proceed to give an account (from experience) of the virtues 
and efficacy of those medicines, commonly called Dr. Ward’s, as prepared 
by my father and myself. 
WHITE DROP. [One Shilling per Phial.]
These innocent, yet most efficacious Drops, are well known to he one 
of the greatest antiscorbutics and best purifier of the blood, in practice.— 
They do great service in the Leprosy and King’s Evil; and will bring 
away worms from children; are used with success in the St. Anthony’s 
Fire; and other inflammatory disorders; are a great antivenereal; and are 
excellent in removing obstructions, and promoting regularity in the fe- 
male sex. 
Outwardly applied (but not wantonly) they cure pimples and other errup- 
tions, either by sometimes wetting the cork with the Drops, and touching 
the part affected therewith; or putting a few drops in a glass of water, and 
dipping in it a piece of linen rag, with which the affected part must be 
dabb’d. 
The method of inward application.-Put two drops into a gill glass 
and fill it about two-thirds with pump or Spring-water, drink it going to 
bed; do this three nights successively, and then omit three nights; con- 
tinuing this method till the bottle is finished, or as long as the case may 
require. 
ESSENCE for the HEAD-ACH, &c. [One Shilling per Phial.]
It gives almost immediate ease in pains of the Head, or any part of the 
Limbs, by pouring a little of it into the palm of the hand, and holding it 
Very close on the part affected till it is dry; repeat it is the pain is not re- 
lieved by the first application. With this Essence I have cured several very 
bad Sore Throats, by applying a piece of rag dipt in it to the throat at 
night going to bed, and have found the complaint entirely removed, by 
its being left on till next morning.—My wife, (just before I left Ham- 
Common) had a violent Sore Throat, insomuch that she could not swallow, 
or even turn her head without very great pain, but by a plentiful applica- 
tion of this Essence, a great discharge was occasioned from her throat, and 
the complaint happily removed in three days time. Several other instances 
of this kind I could mention.—Properly applied in Tumours, I have 
never known it fail, and could give many instances of it’s surprising effects. 
LIQUID SWEAT. [One Shilling.]
This is an excellent remedy against Fevers, Vomitings, Gripes, Com- 
plaints of the Head, Difficulty of Breathing, Hoarseness and Weaknesses 
peculiar to the fair sex.—lt will do great service in the Gout and Rheuma- 
tism; and is a great strengthener and restorative,—It is very mild in its 


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operation, and seldom, till towards the morning causes a gentle perspi
ration, which must then be encouraged, and care taken not to catch cold.
The dose is from one-third to half, or a whole bottle in a glass of ale 
or white wine, going to bed.—The patient may drink after it a draught 
of warm white wine-whey, if he thinks proper; but it is not absolutely 
necessary. 
RED PILLS. [Six in a Box, Six-Pence.]
They are excellent for Boils and ulcerous Sores; are very efficacious in 
rheumatic and other pains in the limbs; are beneficial to children and 
young people; being taken in the Spring and Fall, they keep them free 
from Worms, Coughs, Eruptions, and other Disorders, which children 
are usually subject to, by carrying off all internal foulnesses, and preserv- 
ing them healthy; and are found to be a powerful remedy (if continued 
to be taken every second or third day for some time) in most stubborn
Chronic Cases. 
Bruise the Pill and take it in a spoonful of small liquid on an empty 
stomach, and when it begins to operate, take about a quarter of a pint of 
thin water-gruel, or warm water between each motion. It works some- 
times upwards, sometimes downwards (according to the nature and seat 
of the disorder), and frequently by sweat, which must be encouraged by 
keeping yourself warm, and drinking as above.—Milk, greens, and fruit 
must be avoided on the days you take it. 
I have known this Pill in some constitutions (as is the case with me) to 
have no visible operation, yet to have done great service as a powerful 
alterative. 
SACK DROP. [Six Pence.]
This is much of the same nature with the Pill, though it mostly works 
upwards only, and is found to cleanse the stomach more effectually than 
the vomits usually given; nor does it occasion uncommon teachings.—lt 
is of great service (as well as the Pill) in complaints of the head and eyes, 
occasioned (as they sometimes are) by a foul stomach. The bottle is a full 
dose for a grown person, and is to be treated during the time of its ope- 
rating, in the same manner as the Pill.
SWEATING POWDER. [Six-Pence.] 
These Powders are most excellent in the Gout, Rheumatisms, Pains in 
the body and limbs, and also in Coughs and other Disorders proceeding 
from Colds.— 
The Powder is to be taken in a glass of beer, white wine, or other Li- 
quid: Let the patient lie between blankets, and encourage the sweat by 
lying still, keeping warm, and drinking now-and-then moderately of 
white wine-whey, or any other weak warm liquor: but drink nothing for 
the first half hour after taking the Powder. 
N.B. In stubborn cases the Red Pill taken between the days of taking the 
Powders, greatly facilitate, and scarce ever fail of perfecting a cure. 
Those who are not used to, or cannot very well bear opiates, may begin 
with half a Powder, and encrease gradually to the whole dose, as they 
find them agree with their constitution. 
The above Medicines are to be had, sealed with the Author’s Crest, at his 
House, No. 12, in Strutton-Grounds, Westminster; and are sold also, by his ap- 
pointment, at Mr. Crowder's, Bookseller, in Pater-noster-Row; where Country 
Booksellers and others may be supplied wholesale, with a large allowance: And 
likewise sold retail, at Mr. Southern’s, Bookseller and Stationer, in St. James’s- 
Street; at Mr. Eaton's, Spatterdash-maker to his Majesty, in Chancery-Lane; at 
Mr. Taylor’s Operator for the Teeth, in Devonshire-street, near Bishopsgate Church;
and no where else in London. 
Any person desirous of consulting Mr. White will be duly answered, by di- 
recting to him (post-paid) as above. 
Be careful to ask for those medicines, prepared by the son of the  
White, and observe that his Crest be on the seal.