Vitalizing or Lethal: Advertising Is Potent by Enyjé Sandoz

 

I chose this ad to submit for one of my graphic design classes' assignments, as we are currently studying design during the Victorian Era. While verifying its authenticity to the Victorian Era, I learned the tragic backstory of this product, which completely altered my perception of this ad!

You see a mother and her children in bed, and it is only natural to think 'aw'. They are cuddled up, reading an ad for 'Mrs. Winslow's Soothing Syrup', with an already opened bottle of it sitting on the table beside them. Presumably, it is bedtime, and this ad is a supplement for their nighttime story. They are relaxed—or better yet, soothed.

This very simple imagery encapsulates a core element of advertisement that can be overlooked by trying to make an ad 'cool', 'trendy', or even 'modern'. This ad is from 1885—meaning, no technology by today's standards, but certainly still powerful!

With this simple imagery, the designer was able to promote the product by illustrating its effectiveness. A teething baby or child at bedtime sounds like the ultimate battle, yet here we have a mother who was successfully able to get two children into bed—hassle-free!

The days of crying witch-possessed-with-baby-charming-skills were long over, so mothers and caregivers of this time could only assume it was thanks to Mrs. Winslow's Baby Killer—I mean, Soothing Syrup. I can only imagine how fast they were buying this up! If only they knew...

A moment of silence for them and a night of reprieve for their children could result in a permanent loss. If only they knew that the soothing quality of Mrs. Winslow's magic potion was morphine. If only the average person (at the time) knew what morphine was and how it could be deadly.

Suddenly, this innocent ad of a mother in bed with her calm children during bedtime turns into the cautionary tale of the 'Baby Killer', also known as Mrs. Winslow's Soothing Syrup. Suddenly, this ad turns from a bedtime story to the last time a mother spends with her children.

Advertising is potent—it can be vitalizing or lethal. 

(A little food for thought!)

My Other Victorian Era Findings:

For one of my graphic design classes, I have to find a design from the Victorian Era. Well, during my exploration and perusal of the ads, I come across this ad. Apparently, cocaine was used medicinally (?!) during that time period. pic.twitter.com/s5AyXMosKy

— Enyjé (@enyjemai) September 15, 2025