Introduction

Health Hints is a lifestyle/cookery book that was published in 1927 by the Lydia E. Pinkham Medicine Co. It was originally published in Lynn, Massachusetts and was later sold in Canada. This thirty-two page book opens with a list of the seven rules of health, according to the Pinkham company, then goes on to examine each one in its own separate section. The book is comprised of many lifestyle tips and advice on general health, including how much sleep to get, optimal daily water intake, balanced meals, and more. Lydia E. Pinkham also had several health products that were on the market at the time, including her famous vegetable compound, so the book has multiple customer reviews sprinkled throughout as a form of advertisement. The book, largely, seems to target middle-class women due to the time and expense related to fulfilling the beauty tips offered. The alleged affordability of the Pinkham products and the “do it yourself” attitude that is prevalent throughout the book shows that the book wanted to be as accessible as possible to a range of audiences. The overall purpose of this book was to educate women on how to lead healthier lives which would, in turn, mean that their families were also healthier and happier. 

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