This product was invented in the 19th century as a powerful surgical antiseptic! It was later sold, in distilled form, as both a floor cleaner and a cure for gonorrhea. From 1921 until the mid-1970s, it was also marketed as a preventive and remedy for colds and sore throats. 1/5

2/5 From the 1930s into the 1950s, advertisements claimed that applying this product to the scalp could prevent 'infectious dandruff'. (Source: http://bit.ly/harshmouth )

The product? Listerine!

The 'original' variant of Listerine is still harsh/burning on the mouth, but that's

3/5 taken as 'powerful' by users! For those who did not appreciate this harsh 'efficacy', the market invented milder variants, like Colgate Plax.

The other product category which invented the 'milder' (non-burning) range is Dettol. So, Savlon! Savlon's chemical composition is

4/5 Cetrimide/chlorhexidine (Dettol is Chloroxylenol), but the purpose is the same.

It's a different story that because people took Dettol's burning sensation as 'efficacy', that forced Savlon to add 'stronger formula' in their packs too!

5/5 The 'harsher' brands themselves offered milder variants eventually - Listerine has sweeter variants now, while Dettol, in its soaps range, has expanded beyond the 'hospital-smell' original.