Annapolis Valley Macdonald Museum, Middleton

The Gates family have long been a presence in the Valley and surrounding areas, many people and places still bear their name. C. Gates Son & Co. started out as a family business in Victoria Vale, gathering and combining herbs to be prepared as medicines (the recipe's for which were given to them by a traveling doctor). The medicines were copywrited in 1877 and by 1894 there was a reported 14 tons of Gates medicines moving through the Atlantic provinces. Over the years the company suffered some setbacks due to Federal Health Laws and by 1949 the company ceased to be viable with the passing of the federal Patent Medicines Act. Gates' Life of Man Bitters was very popular, possibly due to a high content of gin, the main ingredients were: 1) Juniper berries, a diuretic helpful in bladder, kidney, and urinary problems. 2) Balm of Gilead, which promotes perspiration, decreases fever, and relieves flatulence. 3) Dandelion root is a mild laxative and diuretic. 4) Yellow dock root, which has antiseptic and astringent qualities.

Topic: Business

Date: [ca. 1900 -1950]

Reference:  Annapolis Valley Macdonald Museum R82.43

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