Ghent Industry Museum Exhibits Addictive 'Nerve Powders' of the Past Century

The Industry Museum in Ghent, Belgium, is shining a spotlight on a forgotten chapter of the 20th century with its new exhibition, 'Powder to the People.' This compelling display delves into the widespread use and societal impact of 'nerve powders' – once ubiquitous household and factory staples that offered pain relief, stimulation, and calm.

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The champion among medicines throughout the entire 20th century

These powders, often marketed by brands like Het Witte Kruis and Dr. Mann, were considered indispensable in many homes and workplaces throughout the last century. The exhibition highlights their dual nature: while providing perceived benefits, they also led to widespread addiction, particularly among women and female factory workers, with excessive use resulting in severe health consequences like fatal kidney damage.

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In many households and factories, 'the little powders' – often from Het Witte Kruis or Dr. Mann – were as indispensable as daily bread. They were considered absolute all-rounders: pain-relieving and fever-reducing, stimulating and calming. Especially women and female factory workers became addicted, and excessive use led to fatal kidney damage

'Powder to the People' aims to revive the memory of these once-popular substances through a collection of archival materials, vintage advertisements, and insights into the rise of kidney dialysis centers that became a necessity due to their use. The exhibition also features contemporary artistic interpretations and expert analyses, connecting the past to current discussions on women's health, addiction, and the pharmaceutical industry.

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What do we need today to cope with our lives and work?

As the exhibition runs until September 13th before moving to Sint-Niklaas, the museum actively seeks personal stories from those who remember these powders – consumers, families, pharmacists, doctors, and producers. This call for personal narratives underscores the museum's effort to preserve the collective memory of a generation and understand the enduring legacy of these 'nerve powders.'

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Today, the nerve powders live on in the collective memory of a generation that is slowly disappearing. That's why we are looking for stories from people who still knew them: people who took the powders, family members, pharmacists, doctors, producers, sellers, researchers, and so on.