During the second world war, the military hospitals were so filled with pregnant women that babies were put in dresser drawers. In order to move the women thru quickly, they were all given a castor oil cocktail. [HT: mother; I was born on an army base]
I can attest that as late as 1976 when I had my first child we were given a castor oil/orange juice cocktail in an attempt to bring on labor once a week past due date hit. I was quite pleased to deliver 3 days prior to due date and avoid the nasty stuff.