Before Dr. Phil

Fads For Fat Folks

Body image during the Victorian Era, was considerably different than today, and no woman or man had any wish to be skinny.  For women, the desired form could be obtained with corsets and bustles, so only those seriously obese desired to lower their dress size.

The item on the right, though it looks like it belongs on an automobile, was called the Magic Flesh Builder and Cupper and advertised as "An entirely new and scientific invention.  Has no equal as a developer.  Make it possible for every lady to possess a well rounded, plump, beautiful figure.  Rebuilds shrunken tissues of the breast, neck, arms, and the only method which permanently removes wrinkles, and makes the sunken cheeks smooth, full and developed. "Operates the same as the Wrinkle Remover, only more powerful". It's cost:  Fifty-cents.

However, while a nice, round, plump figure was the desire of all women, to be grossly overweight was dangerous to the health and that is where Dr. Rose's Obesity Powders came in.  Guaranteed to "reduce corpulency in a safe and agreeable manner", at fifty-cents a box, it was just what the doctor ordered; or at least you could from the Sears-Roebuck catalogue.

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