[Illustration:  FIGURE 16.—­Depot, Comstock Hotel, and factory buildings (at right), about 1910.]

While there was only a single Comstock medicine business, operated as a sole proprietorship until 1902, Comstock found it convenient to maintain several dummy companies—­really no more than mailing addresses—­for some years after the move to the North.  Thus, in Morristown was to be found, at least in business and postal directories, besides the Comstock company itself, two other proprietary manufacturers:  Judson Pill Co. and E. Kingsland & Co.

The Judson Pill Co. preserved the name of Comstock’s former partner, while use of the name E. Kingsland perhaps flattered the vanity of the former chief clerk and later plant superintendent.  The major Kingsland product was Chlorinated Tablets, a sure cure for coughs, colds, hoarseness, bronchial irritation, influenza, diphtheria, croup, sore throat and all throat diseases; these were especially recommended by Dr. MacKenzie, Senior Physician in the Hospital for Diseases of the Throat (was there any such hospital?) in London, England.  The Kingsland pills were also popularized under the name of Little Pink Granules.

Over on the Canadian side of the river, where another plant approximately the same size as the Morristown facilities was in operation, the Comstock Company had assimilated the Dr. Howard Medicine Co.  Dr. Howard’s leading remedies were his Seven Spices for all Digestive Disorders and the Blood Builder for Brain and Body.  The latter, in the form of pills, was prescribed as a positive cure for a wide array of ailments, but like many other patent medicines of the era, it was hinted that it had a particularly beneficial effect upon sexual vitality.

They have an especial action (through the blood) upon the SEXUAL ORGANS of both Men and Women.  It is a well recognized fact that upon the healthy activity of the sexual apparatus depend the mental and physical well-being of every person come to adult years.  It is that which gives the rosy blush to the cheek, and the soft light to the eye of the maiden.  The elastic step, the ringing laugh, and the strong right arm of the youth, own the same mainspring.  How soon do irregularities rob the face of color, the eye of brightness!  Everyone knows this.  The blood becomes impoverished, the victim PALE.  This pallor of the skin is often the outward mark of the trouble within.  But to the sufferer there arise a host of symptoms, chiefest among which are loss of physical and nervous energy.  Then Dr. Howard’s BLOOD BUILDER steps into the breach and holds the fort.  The impoverished Blood is enriched.  The shattered nervous forces are restored.  Vigor returns.  Youth is recalled.  Decay routed.  The bloom of health again mantles the faded cheek.  Improvement follows a few days’ use of the pills; while permanent benefit and cure can only reasonably be expected when sufficient have been taken to enrich the Blood.