How were medications containing opium and morphine commonly purchased in the nineteenth century?

In the nineteenth century, medications that contained opium and morphine were commonly purchased over the counter. During this period, there were few regulations concerning the sale of such substances, and they were widely available in many forms, including tinctures and tonics. The public perception of these medications was largely different from today’s views; they were often considered effective remedies for various ailments without the stigma associated with them now.

The accessibility over the counter allowed individuals to obtain these potent substances without the need for a medical prescription. This ease of access led to both widespread use for legitimate medical purposes as well as potential misuse, a situation that laid the groundwork for later regulations and controls over narcotics in the following decades.