Burnett's “Cocaine” for dandruff

•Joseph Burnett supplied “highly rectified and pure” sulfuric ether to W.T.G. Morton.•Burnett variously advertised “Cocaine” or “Cocoaine” as a patent hair oil.•Burnett ads invoked coca-based systemic tonics such as Vin Mariani and Coca-Cola.•Coca-Cola is presently brewed from decocainized coca leaves.•Cocaine HCl, U.S.P. for anesthesia is a by product of Coca-Cola manufacture.