Browse Artefacts (885 total)

Anodyne Balsam (Balsam Anodyn, balsamum anodynum), labelled by Sir Stuart Threipland in his medicine chest as ‘Bal Anodyn’. A preparation of soft soap, opium powder, camphor, oil of rosemary and rectified spirits. Anodyne Balsam was applied…

Mistura Antifebrifuge, labelled by Sir Stuart Threipland in his medicine chest as ‘Mis. Antifeb’. Mistura antifebrifuge was a mixture effective against fevers which often worked by reducing the body temperature. It is unclear which ingredients…

Powdered Jalap, labelled by Sir Stuart Threipland in his medicine chest as ‘S. Pul R: Ialap’ (Pulv subtiliss rad jalap).

Jalap is the name of the drug and the plant it comes from, traditionally grown in Mexico, India and Jamaica. Powdered…

Tincture of Castoreum, labelled by Sir Stuart Threipland in his medicine chest as ‘Ti Castor:R’.

Castoreum, a red-brown secretion from beaver inguinal sacs. The term ‘castor’ is the Latin word for beaver and is used to describe the castor…

Pulsatilla, or Puls, prepared by Joseph James, Cheltenham. A common nineteenth-century herbal medicine, pulsatilla was prescribed by practitioners of homeopathy and physicians throughout the eighteenth and nineteenth centuries. Pulsatilla, part of…

Liniment Opii, or Opium Liniment, sold by A. Robertson, Chemist & Druggist, Markinch; supplied by Duncan, Flockhart & Co., Edinburgh. Opium Liniment is a cream or balm mixture of opium which was prescribed to relieve muscle pain and alleviate…

Dr Gregory’s Stomachic Powder or Compound Rhubarb Powder, prepared by Duncan, Flockhart & Co. A common nineteenth-century antacid, stomachic and cathartic developed by James Gregory (1753-1821). Contains powdered Turkey rhubarb (rheum palmatum),…

Pure Ponderous Calcined Magnesia, prepared by Duncan, Flockhart & Co., Chemists & Druggists to her Majesty. Calcined magnesia, or reactive magnesia, was prescribed as an antacid and laxative.

Directions for use: One teaspoon to be taken in a…

Carbonate of Soda, prepared by Duncan, Flockhart & Company. In the nineteenth-century, sodium carbonate mixed with water was prescribed as an antacid to treat heartburn, indigestion and flatulence. Some physicians additionally prescribed carbonate of…

Huxham’s Tincture Bark, prepared by Duncan, Flockhart & Company. Devised by Dr John Huxham (c.1692-1768) to treat fevers, Huxham’s Tincture contained cinchona bark, orange peel, serpentary root, saffron, cochineal and alcohol. Huxham’s original…