Ex-Lax The Chocolated Laxative

Description:

The indications or uses for this product as provided by the manufacturer are: Ex-Lax the chocolated laxative is widely used with good results in cases of occasional constipation.

Ex-Lax was invented in 1906 by Max Kiss (1883-1967), a penniless Hungarian Jew who moved to the United States in 1898, and graduated from the Columbia University School of Pharmacy. This new “Excellent Laxative” contained phenolphthalein as the active ingredient, and chocolate for taste. Israel Matz, a Jewish immigrant from Lithuania, provided funding for the new enterprise. In time, Ex-Lax, Inc. became the largest laxative maker in the world, with factories in Brooklyn, Montreal, Wheaton (Ill.), and England.

Ref: “MAX KISS IS DEAD; CREATED EX-LAX,” New York Times (June 23, 1967), p. 34.

“ISRAEL MATZ DIES; HEBREW SCHOLAR,” New York Times (Feb. 11, 1950), p. 12.

Date Made: ca 1930

Location: Currently not on view

Place Made: United States: New York, Brooklyn

Subject: Laxatives

Subject:

See more items in: Medicine and Science: Medicine, Health & Medicine, Balm of America

Exhibition:

Exhibition Location:

Credit Line: Gift of Gary P. and Sandra Baden

Data Source: National Museum of American History

Id Number: 1979.0798.100Accession Number: 1979.0798Catalog Number: 1979.0798.100

Object Name: otc preparationOther Terms: Patent Medicines; Drugs; Non-Liquid

Measurements: overall: 1.7 cm x 7.9 cm x 6.7 cm; 11/16 in x 3 1/8 in x 2 5/8 inoverall: 2 5/8 in x 3 1/4 in x 3/4 in; 6.6675 cm x 8.255 cm x 1.905 cm

Guid: http://n2t.net/ark:/65665/ng49ca746ab-76a2-704b-e053-15f76fa0b4fa

Record Id: nmah_715720

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