Egyptian Throat Band (nostrum)

The Egyptian Throat Band is a medical nostrum that was advertised in the early years of the twentieth-century as being useful in the prevention of childhood croup (laryngotracheobronchitis), an infection causing swelling inside the trachea, as well as other maladies of the throat, such as bronchitis, tonsillitis, and coughs generally. The band itself was stated to have been made of "rich, black silk" and featured a silk pouch "containing a powerful powder" that would be worn over the throat, the powder thereby being "gradually absorbed by the skin penetrating to the seat of all bronchial troubles;" this powder was not identified. Both band and powder were sold by the Egyptian Manufacturing Co. of Grand Rapids, Michigan.