MEDICINE SHOW
INTRODUCTION
Card game for 2-4+ players.
Players are Snake Oil Salesmen (USA circa late 1800’s) selling their wares.
VICTORY
The player with the most Victory Points at the end of the game wins.
The game ends when all players have passed.
A player must pass at the end of their turn if there are no cards
left in the deck.
THE DECK
Players share a common deck.
There is one copy of each card described in the card list.
There are 5 types of cards:
N = Name Cards
G = Gimmick Cards
C = Claim Cards
F = Formulation Cards
I = Ingredient Cards
B = Bonus Cards
S = Special Cards
P = Poison Cards
SETUP
Shuffle the deck.
Each player is dealt 7 cards.
The most convincing player goes first.
The deck is kept face-down.
The discard is face-up.
TURN SEQUENCE
Players take turns.
Each turn has 4 phases:
1. Draw Phase
2. Action Phase
3. Meld Phase
4. End Phase
DRAW PHASE
Draw 1 card from the top of the deck and put it in your hand.
ACTION PHASE
Discard 1 Special card to activate its special effect.
Poison cards are a type of special card.
Discard a Poison card to cause a target opponent to
discard 1 random card from his Victory Pile.
Players may trade cards.
MELD PHASE
You may make a Meld.
A Meld must contain:
Exactly 1 Name Card
Exactly 1 Formulation Card
1 or 2 Gimmick Cards
1 or 2 Ingredient Cards
1 or more Claim Cards
Zero or 1 Bonus Cards
Each card has a Victory Point (VP) value.
Place these Meld cards into your Score Pile.
The total VP in your score pile is your Score at the end of the game.
You do not have to use all the cards in your hand to make a Meld;
If there are cards remaining keep them.
Double cards: Some cards list 2 Types. A player may use one or
the other type for his meld.
END PHASE
Max hand size is 7 cards.
Discard excess cards.
COMMON DECK CARD LIST NOTATION
N = Name Cards (Maker/Product)
G = Gimmick Cards
C = Claim Cards (Cure)
F = Formulation Cards
I = Ingredient Cards
B = Bonus Cards
S = Special Cards
P = Poison Cards
COMMON DECK CARD LIST
Name: Type VP Notes:
Dr Galvins N 3
Dr Kings N 3
Dr Younces N 4
Dr McMullin N 3
Mrs Winslows N 4
Hadacol N 4
Cactico N 3
Foleys N 4
Toxinol N 4
Gesslers N 3
Hamlins N 3
Dr Bulls N 3
Billy Black Hawks N 4
Fitchs N 3
Tutts N 3
Metcalfs N 3
Hazards N 4
Sloans N 3
Dr Kilmers N 3
Dr Weeks N 3
Hostetters N 4
Munyons N 3
Kickapoo N 4
William Radams N 3
Bonnores N 3
Dr Sibleys N 3
Stanleys N 3
Baileys N 4
Brinkleys N 4
Dr Morses N 3
Grand Invigorator G 4
New Discovery G 4
Man & Beast G 4
Indian Cure G 4
Remedy G 3
Original G 4
Magic G 3
Improved G 3
Safe G 3
Popular G 3
French G 3
Marvelous G 4
Delicious G 3
Delightful G 4
Healthful G 3
Natures Gift G 4
Celebrated G 3
National G 3
Favorite G 3
Harmless G 3
Fast Acting G 3
Genuine G 4
Certificate of Purity G 4
Kills Pain GC 2
Vitality GC 2
Vim & Vigor GC 2
Panacea GC 2
Cure All GC 2
Quick Cure GC 2
Strengthener GC 2
Fortifies GC 2
Refreshes GC 2
Body & Brain GC 2
Restorer GC 2
Blood Builder GC 2
Heart Corrector GC 2
Distilled GI 2
Root GI 2
Herbal GI 2
Bitters GI 2
Homeopathic GI 2
Secret Ingredient GI 2
Botanic GI 2
Vegetable Tonic GI 2
Testimonials GB 2
Endorsements GB 2
Trademark GB 2
Formula FG 2
Supplement FG 2
Nostrum FG 2
Compound FG 2
Concoction FG 2
Snake Oil FG 2
Potion FG 2
Preparation FG 2
Salve FG 2
Temperance Tonic FG 2
Balm FG 2
Opium I 4
Cocaine I 4
Ethanol I 4
Senna I 3
Pepsin I 3
Nitrous Ether I 4
Camphor I 3
Procaine I 3
Chloroform I 4
Honey I 3
Vitamins I 4
Quinine I 4
Aspirin I 4
Sarsaparilla I 4
Oil of Wintergreen I 3
Heroin I 4
Caffeine I 3
Cascara I 3
Sulphur I 4
Sagwa I 4
Iron I 4
Narcotics I 4
Laudanum IP 4
Radium IP 2
Grain Alcohol IP 2
Acetanilid IP 2
Emetic IC 2
Rubefacient IC 2
Analgesic IC 2
Antipyretic IC 2
Stimulant IC 2
Sedative IC 2
Expectorant IC 2
Laxative IC 2
Antacid IC 2
Diuretic IC 2
Abortifacient IC 2
Spirits IF 2
Extract IF 2
Infusion IF 2
Oil IF 2
Nerve Tonic FC 2
Brain Tonic FC 2
Tablets F 3
Caps F 4
Syrup F 3
Elixir F 4
Suspension F 3
Tincture F 4
Snuff F 4
Solution F 3
Fluid F 3
Enema F 3
Lotion F 3
Cream F 3
Ointment F 3
Suppository F 3
Inhaler F 3
Pills F 3
Douche F 3
Liniment F 4
Wafers F 4
Candy F 4
Wine F 4
Powder F 4
Drops F 4
Draught F 3
Croup C 3
Sudden Death C 4
Cough & Cold C 3
Hoarseness C 3
Nervous Debility C 4
Abscesses C 4
Neuralgia C 3
Sleeplessness C 3
Headache C 3
Melancholia C 3
Dyspepsia C 3
Constipation C 3
Numbness C 3
Rheumatism C 4
Cancer C 4
Hysteria C 4
Arthritis C 4
Teething C 4
Exhaustion C 3
Kidney Trouble C 3
Diabetes C 3
Obesity C 3
Frigidity C 4
Gas C 3
Hair Growth C 4
Lumbago C 4
Gout C 3
Gonorrhea C 4
Diarrhea C 3
Female Complaints C 4
Liver Ailments C 4
Asthma C 3
Jaundice C 3
Syphilis C 4
Anemia C 4
Loss of Appetite C 3
Catarrh C 4
Malaria C 4
Scarlet Fever C 3
Consumption C 4
Biliousness C 4
Despondency C 3
Shills B 3
Advertising B 3
Placebo Effect B 3
Pitchman B 3
Medicine Show B 3
Shake Well S - Discard Hand & Draw 7 cards
Advertising S - Draw 2 cards
Addiction S - Draw 2 cards
Fishy Tasting S - Opponent discards 2 Random cards from Hand
Foul Smelling S - Opponent discards 2 Random cards from Hand
Druggists S - Steal 1 Random card from Opponents Hand
Muckrakers S - All players discard their Hands
Quackery S - All opponents discard 1 random card from Hand
LINKS
Patent Medicines Wikipedia
