Syrup of figs
Syrup of figs is a formerly proprietary preparation for use as a
figs and dried senna pods, both known for their laxative properties, as well as water, sugar and lemon.[1] The syrup was invented in 1879 by Richard E. Queen[2] and immediately sold to the California Fig Syrup Company of Reno, Nevada, which manufactured and marketed it thereafter.[3]
The product was the subject of a lawsuit, Clinton Worden Company v. California Fig Syrup Company, which was decided in favor of the syrup company by the Supreme Court of the United States in 1905.[2]
In popular culture
- In episode 2, season 1 of the TV series Blandings (2013), syrup of figs is used for revenge.
- In Agatha Christie's 1936 novel Cards on the Table, a woman dies after mistaking poison for syrup of figs.
- In episode 7, season 1 of Downton Abbey, Daisy the scullery maid almost taints the servants dinner of beef stew with syrup of figs, moving Thomas the footman to remark, "at least we'd be regular".
References
- ^ Wong, James. "Syrup of Figs for Constipation". Food Network. Retrieved 2022-01-01.
- ^ a b "Worden v. California Fig Syrup Co., 187 U.S. 516 (1903)". Justia. Retrieved 2022-01-01.
- ^ Lockhart, Bill; Schriever, Beau. "California Fig Syrup: The Company and Its Bottles" (PDF). Society for Historical Archaeology. Retrieved 2022-01-01.