Henry “Hank” Blumer, a farmer living near New Glarus, Wisconsin, made a jar of skunk-grease medicine about 1920 for his neighbor Adolph Strahm (1886-1955) in nearby York Township. Strahm suffered from pleurisy, an inflammation of the cavity surrounding the lungs, and used the remedy to alleviate its symptoms. In addition to farming Blumer was also a hunter. He likely trapped the skunks used in making this particular batch of medicine.
Skunk grease 'helps' pleurisy
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A jar is filled with skunk grease, made about 1920 by Henry Blumer as a home health remedy for Adolph Strahm of Green County, Wisconsin.
Adolph Strahm, user of the skunk grease, is shown about 1930. Image courtesy of Elda and Linda Schiesser
The Strahm and later Schiesser family farm in 1928 is located in York Township, Green County, Wisconsin. Image courtesy of Elda and Linda Schiesser, from a colorized photograph
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