(Material researched & presented by Barbara Armstrong)

It is likely that in 1869 Robert Joseph Poulton started work as an apprentice in his father's homœopathic pharmacy business in Collins Street (Benjamin Poulton's), when he was about 19 years of age. This assumption is based on one of Robert's advertisements in 1879 where he stated that he had 10 years' experience in preparing and dispensing homœopathic medicines.

By 1873 Robert had established his own business as a homœopathic chemist in Bendigo. (At that time the town was called Sandhurst). According to the Bendigo Advertiser the pharmacy was in Mitchell Street, on the corner of Dowling Street (now called Queen Street). In 1874 he stated that he had 'the largest assortment of homœopathic medicines in Sandhurst'. By this time he had competition from other homœopathic chemists in Bendigo; later advertisements stated that 'people will save 50% by purchasing their medicines from R.J. Poulton'.

In 1875 Robert announced that he was a 'homœopathist' and that he provided consultations at his dispensary from 10am to 5pm.

In the early months of 1876 several advertisements appeared for the sale of a homœopathic chemist business: 'a growing business, in good position'. The contact points for those wanting further particulars were Robert's father's business in Collins Street, or R.J. Poulton, Sandhurst.

By 1879 Robert had returned to Melbourne where he established a pharmacy business at 83 Gertrude Street, Fitzroy, on the north side of the street between Brunswick and Young Streets. In the Post Office Directory this pharmacy was listed under the business title of 'Poulton & Co.'.

Robert advertised that after 10 years' experience he had 'come to the conclusion that most of the domestic works [texts] recommend the medicines in too weak a form' and that he had found 'small doses of the strong tincture, the most efficacious'.

By July 1880 he had added the initials M.P.S.V. (Member of the Pharmaceutical Society of Victoria) to his name.

At this time, many people overseas and in Australia, including some qualified doctors, believed in the potential curative nature of magnetism and electricity. Following their lead, in April 1880 Robert announced that he had an electro-chemical bath. He stated that, with the aid of this electro-chemical bath he was 'continually making some of the most marvellous cures ever performed in this country, after the failure of all other remedies, including the ordinary galvanic baths'. 'No treatment in Melbourne corresponds with the above in any way whatever.'

And so commenced Robert Poulton's claims to be able to cure all sorts of conditions, including paralysis, impotence, and 'all diseases arising from youthful indiscretions' (also known as 'the errors of youth'). In female complaints 'it acts like a charm'. By July of the same year he announced that, 'owing entirely to the successful manner in which he has treated cases previously considered incurable' he had so many patients that he had to import a larger appliance and therefore move to larger premises at 186 Bourke Street East, on the south side between Exhibition Street and Spring Street, near Exhibition Street. He had also added medicated hot baths.

In 1881 Robert advertised that he now sold 'the Heraclea Magneto-Electric Invigorating Combination Bands', which could be worn by patients, tied around the waist and along the patient's spine. As with the baths, the bands were said to be suitable for all nervous diseases. After the person had sent their waist size and height, the item could be posted anywhere around the country.

In the main, Robert's advertisements appeared in suburban and country newspapers such as those in Fitzroy, St Kilda, Prahran and South Yarra, Alexandra and Yea, Camperdown, Colac, Bendigo, Bairnsdale and Omeo, Echuca, and eventually in newspapers in the Northern Territory, New South Wales and Queensland.

Many of Robert's advertisements for his electro-chemical bath included a statement that guaranteed a cure. This statement was challenged when in August 1881 two men sued him for failure to cure them of 'a certain form of weakness'. A local doctor claimed that such warm baths as provided by Poulton were 'weakening and depressing'. Poulton had to return the money paid and pay damages.

In November 1881 Robert declared that he was out of business and that he was now insolvent as a result of the two adverse verdicts mention above. He stated that he had disposed of his business to his brother, Samuel John Poulton. Samuel stated that he had let the electrical department to Mr F.W. Mumford.

It appears, however, that Robert regained control of his business as he continued to advertise the sale of homœopathic medicines from the same address as previously. In 1882 he was once again advertising treatments using warm baths and electricity combined, and once again he was guaranteeing cures via 'a new mode of treatment'. At this stage he advertised as a 'medical electrician' at his 'medical hall'. In 1884 'R.J. Poulton, chemist', was advertising his electric baths and magnetic appliances.

Newspapers for 1884 advertised a little book or pamphlet published by R.J. Poulton. One paper referred to its title as 'Snares and Pitfalls of Youth', while another refers to it as 'a new work on the reproductive organs'. 'A knowledge of this subject is undoubtedly of incalculable value, as by it many of the ills which afflict after life may be avoided or remedied.'

Although advertisements for 1889 stated that his address was at 77 Bourke Street, this was not a new location, but the result of re-numbering Melbourne's streets.

From 1889 Roger was specialising in providing consultations for people with problems relating to loss of nerve or physical force. He claimed that, after intense study and deep research, he had 'lately discovered a new, extraordinary, quick, certain and inexpensive cure for diseases of the brain and deranged functions of the nervous system'. He guaranteed a cure for nervous debility.

In 1906 the pharmacy moved to 119 Bourke Street, Melbourne, near the Eastern Market Buildings. He advertised that: 'My practice is so extensive that I have no necessity to keep people on a string. I have a pill for every ill, a balm for every pain.'

In 1908 Robert received a Commonwealth patent for 'a rotary amalgamator'.

In 1920 action was taken against several chemists, including Robert and his unqualified assistant, for selling cocaine without a medical certificate, and for not having labelled the packet. In 1923 he was fined for having sold pills containing a quantity of poison without a registered practitioner's or a veterinary surgeon's prescription, in breach of the Poisons Act.

One of Poulton's later specialties on offer was 'Special Bonjean Female Pills' which were declared to be safe and effective in the cure of all female weaknesses and irregularities.

Robert Joseph Poulton died in 1928. The pharmacy continued to be advertised under his name, or under the name 'Poulton's' well into the 1940s.

© Barbara Armstrong