From the burning mountains of Mexico

Mexican Mustang Liniment

Take 2 fluid ounces petroleum, 1 fluid ounce ammonia water, and 1 fluid drachm brandy. Mix.

- from Dick's Encyclopedia of Practical Receipts and Processes: Containing over 6400 receipts embracing thorough information, in plain language, applicable to almost every possible industrial and domestic requirement: or, How they did it in the 1870's

One artifact of particular interest among our collection here at the Key West Shipwreck Treasures Museum is a bottle once containing Mexican Mustang Liniment, salvaged from the wreck of the Isaac Allerton. I was not surprised, though certainly amused, to find it among the massive collection of bottles from the wreck of the S.S. Republic on display in the Shipwreck! exhibit.

Around 1852, Dr. A.G. Bragg of St. Louis Missouri introduced his patent remedy guaranteed to cure ills ranging from Scalatica and Rheumatism to Screw Worms and Saddle Galls. Mexican Mustang Liniment… for Man and Beast! bellowed the banners advertising the elixir. The liniment, like many potions of the day, was comprised primarily of crude petroleum and described as “oil from the burning mountains of Mexico”. On the side of his store at the northeast corner of Market and 3rd Streets, Dr. Bragg had a mural painted depicting a volcano erupting amidst a fleeing regiment of Mexican troops led by General Antonio Lopez de Santa Ana – his wooden leg left behind on the battlefield waiting to be claimed as a prize by proud Texan militiamen. Dr. James McLean, an employee of Dr. Bragg during this time, took inspiration from this popular and dramatic mural when he went into business for himself selling Dr. J.H. McLean’s Volcanic Oil.

Dr. Bragg eventually sold his recipe to the Lyons Manufacturing Company in New York who continued to produce Mexican Mustang Liniment up until the turn of the century.

"So long as human ills endure, and mortals suffer pain, so long shall MUSTANG LINIMENT its glorious name maintain."