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Apothecary’s Cabinet No. 8, Fall 2004 News and Notes from the American Institute of the History of Pharmacy HEADLINE: Lewis & Clark Bought Imported Drugs!! by Gregory J. Higby

YES, the famed Corps of Discovery shows what limited resources were ence. Only one man was lost during led by Meriwether Lewis and Will- available two hundred years ago to the 28-month journey. iam Clark traversed 8,000 miles of treat acute illnesses. North American wilderness with two As part of his preparation to Cinchona Bark (South chests full of imported drugs. In con- lead the expedition west, Lewis had America) trast with current debates about the spent time consulting with cost of prescription medicines, the Philadelphia’s scientific elite, includ- It was no accident that the decision was simple in 1803—almost ing the famed physician Benjamin largest single medicine purchased by all drugs were imported into the Rush. Lewis received a set of medical Whelan for the Corps was fifteen United States because of sheer ne- instructions from Rush—which he pounds of “Pulv. Cort. Peru” other- cessity. Most items of the materia and Clark largely ignored—and no wise known as cinchona bark or sim- medica were derived from plants doubt guidance to bring along a ply Bark. One of the great panaceas grown only in far-off lands. And plentiful supply of “Rush’s Pills.” The of the era, cinchona bark arrived in many of the chemicals used as medi- chests of medicines had the basics of Europe from South America in the cines were not mass produced yet by the day: cinchona bark, opium, ton- early 1600s as a specific cure for in- the nascent American industry. ics, laxatives, emetics, and dia- termittent fevers (malaria). As a spe- In May 1803, Army purveyor phoretics, plus ointments and other cific it rocked traditional medical Israel Whelan went to the establish- external remedies for the inevitable theories, which maintained that dis- ment of Gillaspy and Strong, Drug- scrapes and sprains. The most im- ease came from humoral imbalances gists, of Philadelphia and bought portant medical decision made by within the body. As one of the few medical supplies for the Corps of Lewis and Clark was choosing a drugs that actually cured a disease, Discovery. Thirty-odd drugs and group of healthy young men tough- cinchona was soon tried against medicines were purchased, as well as ened by frontier or military experi- other fevers and constitutional ail- bottles, surgical supplies, and a few other necessities. Table 1 lists the items that appeared on the bill sent to Meriwether Lewis. A glance over The American Institute of the History of Pharmacy is a unique the list reveals much about what organization dedicated to the preservation of pharmacy’s heri- medical challenges the captains ex- tage. The Apothecary’s Cabinet is a publication from AIHP that pected on their journey: malaria, takes a popular look at the history of pharmacy in its many fac- wounds, gastro-intestinal disorders, and venereal disease. The list also ets. We welcome your comments and submissions.

No. 8 1 ments even though it had little if any effect. For the can have a better title to the appellation of sedative than Corps, however, fifteen pounds of Peruvian Bark was no opium. . . . Indeed there is hardly any affection, in which foolish extravagance. The center of the North American it may not, from circumstances, be proper; and in all des- continent was full of mosquitoes, some of which carried perate cases, it is the most powerful means of alleviating malaria. the miseries of patients.” (pp. 240-243.) Quinine, the main active ingredient of cinchona, Hypodermic syringes were a half-century in the was not isolated until 1820 by French pharmacists future, so physicians of the early 19th century adminis- Pelletier and Caventou. Only ten or twelve ounces of tered opium orally, often in the form of a simple rolled this alkaloid would have equaled the medicinal power of pill. Because it was a valuable drug, opium was often a bulky container of powdered Bark. Like most of the adulterated, therefore druggists like Gillaspy and other drugs carried by the Corps, the cinchona probably Strong carefully examined each shipment that arrived. arrived in Philadelphia via London merchants, rather Their reputation as dealers in quality drugs depended than directly from the countries of origin. largely on the potency of their opium.

Opium and Laudanum (Middle East) Ipecac (Brazil) From the list of drugs, opium and its tincture A drug sometimes combined with opium, ipecac (laudanum) appear to fill a niche still required in was one of the most versatile medicines of the early today’s therapeutics—opiate pain reliever. (Five of the modern period. Introduced into Western medicine in top 100 drugs prescribed in 2003 were derived in part the late 1600s from South America, ipecacuanha from opium.) And while opium and its preparations quickly gained stature as a treatment for dysentery and were used for the relief of pain, they were also the seda- as a reliable emetic and diaphoretic. Intentionally in- tives and hypnotics of choice two hundred years ago. ducing vomiting or sweating was viewed at the time as About the same time as the Lewis and Clark Expedition, a good way to alter the body’s balance and encourage German pharmacist Friedrich Sertürner was developing the restoration of health. Ipecac remains an official the method to extract morphine from crude opium, drug, although its status as an emergency emetic has thereby opening the era of alkaloidal chemistry. As in declined in recent years. In 1803, most ipecac roots the case of cinchona and quinine, however, this discov- were dug in Brazil for exportation. ery would come too late for the Corps, which was required to take the bulkier crude drug along for the Camphor (Sumatra) 8,000 mile journey. Lewis, as Jefferson’s private secretary, may have Another exotic carried along by Lewis and Clark read the following from the Edinburgh New Dispensa- that is still official is camphor. One contemporary au- tory (1791), a book in the president’s library: “Egypt, Per- thor described it as “a very peculiar substance . . . sia, and some other provinces of Asia, have hitherto sup- chiefly extracted from the wood and roots of a tree plied us with this commonly: in those countries, large growing in Sumatra.” The collection of camphor was quantities of poppies are cultivated for this purpose. . . . described by Marco Polo and in the Arabian Nights. Opium, when taken into the stomach . . . gives rise to a Considered a concrete essential oil, the drug was ad- pleasant serenity of mind, in general proceeding to a cer- ministered orally to combat fevers through inducing tain degree of languor and drowsiness. . . . no substance perspiration.

Apothecary’s Cabinet • No. 8, Fall 2004 ISSN 1534-4509

Editor: Gregory J. Higby Assistant Editor: Elaine Condouris Stroud Publisher: American Institute of the History of Pharmacy, located at the University of Wisconsin School of Pharmacy, 777 Highland Ave., Madison, Wisconsin 53705-2222 Phone (608) 262-5378, email [email protected]; www.aihp.org. THE AMERICAN INSTITUTE OF THE HISTORY OF PHARMACY is incorporated under Wisconsin statute 180 as a non-profit organization de- voted to advancing knowledge and understanding of the place of pharmacy in history. It publishes Pharmacy in History, Apothecary’s Cabinet, occa- sional monographs, and pamphlets; it fosters humanistic teaching in pharmaceutical education; confers awards for outstanding achievement in its field; sponsors historical meetings and exhibits; collects and preserves source materials; and serves as a center for research and information. PUBLICATION PRICES: Apothecary’s Cabinet is distributed free of charge to schools of pharmacy upon request. This and other publications of the AIHP may be obtained through membership ($50 per year for individuals, $100 for institutions); individual copies of Apothecary’s Cabinet are $2.00.

2 Apothecary’s Cabinet (London) (Fort Clatsup) (Philadelphia) Asafetida Opium

Jalap Camphor Copaiba Cinnamon Cinchona Ipecac Columbo

Copaiba (Brazil and took an entire pound of this smelly ecaries. In early America, this was Venezuela) substance is unclear. still the case. As druggists in Phila- delphia, Gillaspy and Strong handled Buried in the usual lists of large quantities of these precious Columbo Root (Mozambique) medicines carried by the Corps of goods. In both regular and folk Discovery is “Balsam of Copaiba.” When Gillaspy and Strong medicines, pungent spices were This soothing liquid came trees packed up half a pound of columbo taken to improve digestion. Some tapped in the Amazon basin. Al- root for the Corps, they probably authors have speculated that they though it had other applications, co- thought the drug came from Ceylon were purchased by Lewis and Clark paiba was mainly used for the treat- (modern Sri Lanka). For decades, to flavor their drug preparations. It ment of gonorrhea. When consumed Portuguese traders had a monopoly is more likely that the captains internally, it produced a characteris- on this drug and hid its origins. Por- bought them for culinary purposes. tic odor to a patient’s urine and was tuguese ships would stop on the East thought to soothe inflammation coast of Africa, purchase the roots caused by venereal disease. As expe- Rush’s Pills (USA from from local gatherers, and then carry rienced army officers, Lewis and Imported Ingredients) them along to India on their jour- Clark knew they needed to be pre- neys before returning home to Eu- One significant medicine was pared to treat VD, so they brought rope. At first called kalumb, the not imported—the famous Bilious along copaiba, calomel, and penile drug’s name shifted to variations of Pills of Benjamin Rush. (They were irrigation syringes. “Colombo,” the capital city of Ceylon. actually anti-bilious pills. A patient In the 1820s, its origins were clari- was said to be “bilious” when sup- Asafetida (Iran and fied. No matter what its name, posed poor flow of bile in the body Afghanistan) columbo was never an important caused a complex of symptoms in- drug and was probably included by cluding constipation, headache, and Of all the imported drugs, per- Lewis and Clark as a tonic and re- lassitude.) haps the most notorious was asa- storative. Dr. Rush had expressly indi- fetida also known as “devil’s dung.” cated to Lewis that when one of his This nasty smelling drug from Persia Cinnamon (Sri Lanka), men showed the “sign of an ap- was known since ancient times. proaching disease . . . take one or Nutmegs and Cloves Widely consumed on the theory that two of the opening pills.” Nicknamed anything that smelled that bad had (Moluccas) “Rush’s Thunderbolts,” the pills were to be good for something, asafetida’s For centuries there has been a reputed to contain 10 grains of serious use by 1800 had declined to fine line between spices and drugs. calomel and 10 to 15 grains of jalap, the treatment of nervous complaints Gathered from similar exotic locali- both potent laxatives. By opening up and flatulence. Its folk use to ward ties, spices and drugs were carried by the bowels, Rush believed that the off colds and flu continued into the the same ships, exchanged by the body would then expel the excess twentieth century. Why the Corps same merchants, and sold by apoth- bile or other matter causing illness.

No. 8 3 (With active ingredients weighing jalap “a safe purgative, performing well over a gram, these would have its office mildly; seldom occasioning Table 1. Medical Supplies Purchased been large pills indeed. A common nausea or gripes.” It came to the at- for Corps of Discovery in Philadelphia, aspirin tablet weighs 5 grains or 1/4 tention of European physicians in May 1803. the weight of the “thunderbolts.”) the early 1600s. Two hundred years Peruvian Bark (cinchona), powdered, 15 The two active ingredients had later when Rush used it liberally, the pounds widely different sources and histo- exact source of the root was not yet Jalap, powdered, 1/2 pound ries. Calomel (mercurous chloride) determined. It would be Rush’s stu- Rhei (rhubarb), powdered, 1/2 pound had entered medical practice in the dent, John Redman Coxe, who in Ipecac, powdered, 4 ounces 1600s as a milder and more palat- 1829 reported that jalap came from a Cream of Tartar (potassium bitartrate), able mercury compound. The liquid Mexican plant. Jalap remained a 2 pounds metal mercury had been applied ex- standard drug in the United States Camphor, 2 ounces ternally in different forms since an- until 1965. Like calomel, powdered Asafetida, powdered, 1 pound cient times to treat skin lesions. A jalap was included in the medicine Opium, powdered, 1/2 pound confluence of factors led to its rise Tragacanth, powdered, 1/4 pound chest of the Corps as a separate drug. Glauber’s Salts (sodium sulfate), 6 pounds as an internal medicine: the appear- Both Lewis and Clark were free Saltpeter (potassium nitrate), 2 pounds ance of syphilis in Europe and the with their use of Rush’s pills. Travel- Copperas (ferrous sulfate), 2 pounds increasing influence of alchemy and ing down the Ohio on his way to St. Sugar of Lead (lead acetate), 6 ounces chemistry on medical theories. Louis to start the expedition, Lewis Calomel (mercurous chloride), 4 ounces Paracelsus (1493-1541) and his fol- came down with an attack of ague Tartar Emetic (antimony potassium lowers argued that some of the new (malarial fever) and dosed himself tartrate), 1 ounce chemicals coming out of laborato- with the remedy. He believed it White Vitriol (zinc sulfate), 4 ounces ries could better treat the diseases helped. Along the way up and down Columbo Root, 1/2 pound of a new age. The apparent success the Missouri, the captains gave the Elixir Vitriol (aromatic dilute sulfuric acid), of mercury compounds against 1/4 pound pills to themselves, their men, and to Essence of Peppermint, 1/4 pound syphilis helped to spur the growing Indians who presented themselves Balsam Copaiba, 1/4 pound reputation of chemical medicines. for treatment. On almost any occa- Balsam Traumaticum (compound benzoin Mercurous chloride appeared sion where a gastro-intestinal ail- tincture), 1/4 pound in European medicine at the begin- ment arose, the captains freely ad- Magnesia (magnesium oxide), 2 ounces ning of the 1600s and its reputation ministered these cathartic pills or Laudanum (tincture of opium), 4 ounces soon grew as a “softer” and better other laxatives such as Glauber’s Basilicon Ointment (cerate of rosin), 2 tolerated mercury compound. By Salts. pounds 1800, calomel was widely accepted The captains used the pills as Calamine Ointment, 1 pound for its general powers as an “alter- almost a panacea, which is not too Unguent Epispastric (Blistering Ointment), ative,” i. e., medicine that altered 1 pound surprising since so many of the com- Mercury Ointment, 1 pound the overall constitution of the body. plaints they faced had gastro-intesti- Plaster of Diachylon Simple (lead oleate), In large doses, calomel acted quickly nal sequelae. The uneven and im- one piece as a laxative; in small doses over pure food supply, the back and forth Pocket Surgical Kit time, it produced what we today switching from foods without fiber to Pocket Dental Kit would characterize as mercury poi- high fiber and (other factors), no Enema Syringe soning—abundant salivation, loos- doubt contributed to a significant Penile Syringes, 4 ening of teeth, metallic halitosis, amount of constipation throughout Lancets, 3 and discolored stool. At this level, the Corps. In addition, some fevers Tourniquet the drug was obviously “working” and other complaints were associ- Lint, 2 ounces and had the power, in theory, to Rush’s (Anti-) Bilious Pills, 600 ated with theories of excess bile or Tin Canisters, 6 eliminate syphilis from the body. blood in the body. A good purging 8 ounce Ground Stoppered Bottles, 3 Because of its dual activity, calomel helped with that problem! Fortu- 4 ounce Tincture bottles, 5 was included in both Rush’s Pills— nately, Lewis and Clark had chosen 4-ounce Salt Mouth bottles, 6 eliminating excess bile through their men well. Hardy frontiersmen, 1 Walnut Chest purging—and by itself in powder they were able to survive both the se- 1 Pine Chest form, where it could be given in vere conditions of the long journey India Ink, 1/4 pound small doses over time to combat and the strong medicines imported Gum Elastic, 2 ounces syphilis. from around the globe! Nutmegs, 2 ounces Jalap came from the vegetable Cloves, 2 ounces kingdom—the appropriately named Cinnamon, 4 ounces Total expense = $90.69 plant Exogonium Purga. The Edinburgh New Dispensatory, a book known well by Rush, calls

4 Apothecary’s Cabinet Evolution of Drug Containers

by George Griffenhagen 2501 Drexel St. • Vienna, VA 22180

FROM earliest times, those who pre- to preserve myrrh and frankincense the first potteries in Spain to pro- pared and dispensed medicines were (Canada, 1965/Scott 443). duce the glazed earthenware were faced with the need of preserving A unique drug container established in Malaga. The art of lus- and storing them. The most common (called inro) was used by the samu- tre painting was perfected in types of containers in ancient Egypt rai, a feudal military caste in Japan Valencia, and the term Hispano- were unglazed earthenware, stone, from the 12th to the 19th century to Moresque lusterware was given to and alabaster pots. Pedanius carry their medication. Such an ex- this pottery decorated with a golden Dioscorides provided precise in- ample is seen on a stamp of the copper lustre on a tin oxide glazed structions for drug containers in his Ryukyu Islands (1968/Scott 168). background, as represented by the monumental work De Materia The actual development of the Medica (A.D. 50-70), recommending specialized drug jar had its origin in that most medicines be kept in thick the Middle East during the period of vessels of glass, horn, or silver. The Islamic conquest. Potters in Persia discovery of glass blowing took place developed a new type of ceramic and around 300 B.C., and glass manufac- a unique style of jar that has been in- ture flourished in Alexandria and timately associated with medicines. Sidon. The Roman green glass flask The innovation in the ceramic art was the most widespread of all was the use of a tin-glaze to produce shapes of Roman glass during the a non-porous earthenware, which first through the sixth century A.D. was much more suitable for storing One such glass container is depicted liquid and semi-liquid medicaments. on a stamp of Israel (1974/Scott The unique shaped jar was the 266), as well as glass containers used albarello, a cylindrical container with concave sides curving inward toward Hispano-Moresque the middle of the jar. Among the ear- Lusterware, Spain (Scott 2513) liest ascribed as drug jars are those albarello shown on a stamp of Spain (1987/Scott 2513). 1st-5th Century Until the 14th century, the pro- Glass Flask, Israel duction of pottery in Italy remained a (Scott 266) crude art, but with the influence of the Islamic art which penetrated Italy simultaneously with an expansion in the commerce of drugs, new centers for the manufacture of glazed earthenware were established. The term Persian 12th Century Albarello, majolica for this ware originated be- Portugal (2003/Scott 2590) cause the art reached Italy by way of made at Rakka, Mesopotamia, situ- Majorca, while the term faience be- ated on the Euphrates. A typical came popular since some of the finest Rakka albarello, dating from the tin-glazed pottery was produced in Samurai “Inro” 12th-13th century can be seen on a Faenza, Italy. Italian majolica can be Drug Container, stamp issued by Portugal (2003/ seen on stamps of Malta (1970/Scott Ryukyu (Scott Scott 2590). 414) and Portugal (2003/Scott 2591). 168) The armies of Islam subse- A symbolic albarello drug container quently conquered Spain carrying was used on three stamps of Portugal with them the Islamic culture, and (1964/Scott 922-934) to commemo-

No. 8 5 1652-1677 (Portugal, 2003/Scott on a stamp of Belgium (1994/Scott 2591). B116). The ewer is labeled MERCU- Albarello Repre- RIAL for Oxymel of Mercury; the sents D’Orta, Delft pot with metal cover is labeled Portugal (Scott GENTAINE for Extract of Gentian; 922) and the third pot is inscribed PHILO(N) ROM(ANUM), a name given to a widely used confection of opium. rate the fourth century of the publi- Best known of the early Ger- cation of Garcia D’Orta’s Disserta- man potteries producing tin-glazed tion of Simples and Drugs of India Italian Chevrette For Roses, earthenware were those of Ansbach, published in Goa in 1563, and Portugal (Scott 2591) Bayreuth, Creussen, and Nuremberg. Talavara was still producing attrac- One such example is an 18th-century tive albarello-shaped drug jars in the The skill of the Italian potters ceramic drug jar from Dalovice la- 17th century (Spain, 1991/Scott spread into France by the 16th cen- beled CONSERVO ROSAR (Con- 2647). tury. In 1543, a Rouen potter made serves of Rose) depicted on a stamp The earliest apothecary jars “a large number of drug pots for a lo- of Czechoslovakia (1971/Scott 1773). were generally unlabeled so that cal apothecary which were decorated But the more widely employed drug they could be used and reused for a in the Italian style.” While not yet containers in central Europe during seen on a stamp, a 16th century ewer this period were made of wood. Com- (jar with spout) appears on a 1991 mencing in the 17th century, tall cy- pictorial cancel from Rouen. lindrical containers of boxwood or The art of tin-enameling earth- linden wood were used for storing enware was introduced into The dried botanical drugs. Three 18th- Netherlands in the 16th century by 17th Century century boxwood drug containers Italian potters who settled in Talavara Ware, Antwerp. By 1654, the Dutch town of Spain (Scott Delft became famous for the manu- 2647) facture of tin-glazed earthenware decorated in blue and white in imita-

German Boxwood Drug Containers, variety of drugs. The contents were Czechoslovakia (Scott 1772) indicated by a label tied to the vessel. The practice of firing the name of the from the Kuks Castle Pharmacy can contents into the decoration of Span- be seen on a stamp of Czechoslova- ish and Italian apothecary jars com- kia (1971/Scott 1772). They feature menced in the 15th century. Among hand-painted labels for BITUM AS- the earliest labeled apothecary jars PHALT (Rock Oil); SANG DRAC pictured on stamps include the 16th- (powdered Dragon’s Blood which is a century majolica orza (urn) from resin of Pterocarpus); and CONTRA Ulm inscribed SEBASTIAN (Portu- Delftware Apothecary Jars, Belgium JERV (a powdered root used for an gal, 1990/Scott 1795), and the ma- (Scott B116) unspecified disease) jolica chevrette labeled ROSAR, circa tion of the Chinese porcelain, then Porcelain, as distinguished being imported by the Dutch East from tin-glazed earthenware, was in India Company. Due to the over- use in China for hundreds of years whelming success of the Dutch pot- before its introduction into the West- ters, the general term Delftware ern world. Potters and chemists ex- eventually replaced the terms ma- perimented in vain to discover the jolica and faience for the tin-glazed Chinese formula for making porce- earthenware of Holland. The most lain, but it was not until 1709 that typical of Delft apothecary jars is the one succeeded. He was pharmacist peacock motif consisting of two pea- Johann Frederick Boettger, and the cocks standing on either side of a secret was found to lie in the use of Portuguese Majolica Labeled Urn, basket of fruit with an angel’s head two essential ingredients: kaolin Portugal (Scott 1795) below. Three examples can be seen (feldspar) and petuntse (China

6 Apothecary’s Cabinet stone). Boettger’s discovery led to (2001/Scott 2237). After each Latin slowly evolved into a variety of the establishment of a porcelain America country won independence unique shapes and forms for specific manufactory at Meissen, and their from Spain and Portugal, cultural uses. An elaborate 18th-century glass bottle labeled AQ AROMAT (Aro-

Boettger’s 1714 Meissen Porcelain, Germany Traditional Porcelain Drug Jar, (Scott 1365) Mexico ( Scott 2237) 18th Century Glass Drug Bottle, Finland (Scott 799) and commercial ties with France be- earliest products are shown on came very close. Since Spain was not matic Water) is pictured on a stamp stamps of Germany (1982/Scott a major producer of porcelain drug of Finland (1989/Scott 799), while 1365) and the German Democratic jars, France became the exclusive several 18th- to 19th-century apoth- Republic (1982/Scott 2233). supplier. In addition to being practi- ecary jars can be seen on the top shelf In spite of an effort to prevent cal for storing medicines, these por- of a pharmacy in Norway (1995/Scott the secret from becoming known, a celain containers gave distinction to workman carried the secret to a pharmacy. Vienna in 1720 where a factory was Apothecary established. It was not long before Return to Glass Vessels similar factories were established Jars On Top throughout Europe. A 19th-century The use of glass vessels de- Shelf, Vienna porcelain apothecary jar la- clined after the fall of the Roman Norway beled UNG JUNIPERI (Ointment of Empire. It was nearly a thousand (Scott 1091) Juniper Berries) is featured on a years before there was a renaissance 2002 postal card from Romania in the art of glass blowing. By the commemorating the Museum of middle of the 13th century, a guild of Pharmacy in Cluj Napoca. glassblowers had been established By the beginning of the nine- in Venice, and by the 16th century, 1091). A 19th-century clear glass teenth century, the French porcelain centers were established by the Ger- bottle with glass-ground stopper ap- drug jars with porcelain covers be- mans in the mountainous sections of pears on a stamp of Portugal (1978/ came common in both Europe and Bohemia and Silesia. Scott 1360). Latin America. They were produced In time, glass drug bottles By the end of the 18th century, in both Limoge and Paris in numer- were produced from pulverized many of these bottles were made of ous factories. Examples can be seen quartz of crystalline silicon dioxide. opal (milk) glass produced by adding on several stamps including a 19th- The labels were baked-on enamel of- zinc oxide to the molten glass. One century canopy-top porcelain drug ten displaying alchemical symbols in such milk glass drug container pro- jar labeled EXT ALTHOE (Extract of place of the more common Latinized duced in Transylvania is labeled Althea) on a stamp of New drug names. An 18th-century Bohe- EXTR CICHOR (Extract of Chicory), Caledonia (1986/Scott 542); and a and illustrated on a 2002 Romanian 19th century porcelain drug jar la- postal card commemorating the Mu- beled AMYDAL DULC (Sweet Al- seum of Pharmacy in Cluj Napoca. monds) on a stamp of Mexico Drug bottles of flint glass were produced by using lead oxide and cal- cined flint as a source of silica. Less expensive green glass was made of natural potash producing bottles ranging in color from green to amber. Alchemical Symbols On Label, The addition of cobalt produced blue Czechoslovakia (Scott 1773) glass, while copper created ruby red mian glass bottle with alchemical glass. Two 19th-century cobalt blue symbols for Sweet Spirit of Nitre is glass tincture bottles, and an amber included on a stamp of Czechoslova- salt-mouth glass bottle, are shown on 19th Century French Porcelain, New kia (1971/Scott 1773). a 1981 Australia pre-stamped enve- Caledonia (Scott 542) Apothecary glass containers lope (#035). An elegant cobalt blue

No. 8 7 glass, salt-mouth bottle with ground glass stopper, circa York City to market their Plantation Bitters which is pic- 1890, appears on a Portugal stamp (2003/Scott 2593). tured on their U.S. private-die proprietary (Scott RS82- R83) that was employed from 1869 to 1875. Cobalt Blue Tincture Bottles, Australia (1981 pre-stamped envelope)

P. H. Drake’s Plantation Bitters, U.S.A. (Scott RS83)

Amber Mold-Blown Bitters Bottle, The use of the glass drug container in the U.S.A. U.S.A. (Scott 3328) predominated over all types of ceramic drug containers that were so popular in Europe. New terms were estab- There are several stamps that depict modern medicine bottles that are labeled with the name of their contents. They include: Aspirin on drug containers (Central Cobalt Blue Salt- African Republic, 1972/Scott 158); Daraprim, Burroughs Mouth Bottle, Wellcome brand of the anti-malarial, pyrimethamine Portugal (Scott (Nicaragua, 1973/Scott CB8); and Vitamins on the salt- 2593) mouth bottle beside the Hummel “Little Pharmacist” figu- rine (St. Vincent, 1990/Scott 1395).

lished: Salt-mouths were bottles with wide mouths for keeping herbs and salts, while Tinctures were bottles with narrow mouths for holding tinctures and other liq- Little Pharmacist Offers Vitamins, Tincture With St. Vincent (Scott Mushroom 1395) Stopper, U.S.A. (Scott 1473) Emerson Drug Company’s Bromo-Seltzer bottle uid preparations. A typical 19th-century glass tincture with complete label is pictured on 1900-1901 U.S. pri- bottle with mushroom stopper and cologne bottle ap- vate-die proprietaries (Scott RS280-RS283). Baltimore pear on a U.S.A. stamp (1972/Scott pharmacist Edward Emerson trademarked his efferves- 1473). There are readable letters on cent product in 1889. the labels, but the stamp designer Ken Davies confirmed to me at the first day ceremonies that he made Emerson’s the name illegible “so that there Bromo-Seltzer could be no specific mention of any Bottle, U.S.A. one drug or potion.” (Scott RS282) The American patent medicine industry required glass bottles in huge quantities. Green glass tinctures used Glass containers for eye drops can be found on by Pharmacist Candido Fontoura stamps of Iran (1987/Scott 2266), and Swaziland (1976/ (1885-1974), pioneer in the pharma- Scott 264). Other drug containers to be found on stamps ceutical industry, can be found on a include Brazil (1977 (Scott 1504); Hungary (1963/Scott stamp of Brazil (1985/Scott 1997). A 1532); Pitcairn Islands (1968/Scott 96); Romania (1962/ 19th-century glass mold-blown chest- Scott 1519); Turkey (1988/Scott2400); and Uruguay nut amber bitter bottle appears on a (1998/Scott 1748). Even though these are mostly sym- stamp of the U.S.A. (1999/Scott bolic, perhaps they represent the plastic drug containers 3328). This bitters is almost identical Green Glass introduced in the 1950s as a result of research conducted with the “patent log-cabin bottles” Tincture Bottles during World War II to find light-weight and unbreakable used by P. H. Drake & Co. of New Brazil (Scott 1997) polystyrene pharmaceutical vials.

8 Apothecary’s Cabinet Boom and Bust: Sassafras

by David L. Cowen

THE search for, cultivation of, and this process of empire building. the mother country, and between trade in drugs must take their place Sassafras gained popularity af- 1616 and 1619 it and tobacco were among the economic motives behind ter Monardes described it in his the only commodities shipped from the building of the British empire in Historia Medicinali in 1574. In 1585, Virginia. America. Sassafras was one of the Thomas Hariot, man of learning and But the bubble had burst. In most important drugs involved in navigational planner of Sir Walter 1620, Sir Edwyn Sandys, head of the Raleight’s expeditions, proclaimed Virginia Company, reported that sas- sassafras a “sovereign” remedy that safras was worth very little and rec- History of Drug Containers possessed “manifold virtues” and ommended that its production be and their Labels, that was esteemed in “the French curtailed. Its medical reputation per- Poxe [syphilis] . . . the Plague, and sisted, however, and it continued to by George Griffenhagen and many other Maladies.” be exported from the American colo- Mary Bogard Sassafras attained a phenom- nies throughout the colonial period. enal repute and Sir Walter Raleigh In 1770 alone England imported 76.5 became active in its trade and ob- tons of sassafras worth £2,142. The tained a monopoly in it. Sir Walter came to £28 per ton, a far cry from was selling sassafras for £1,000 to Sir Walter’s figures, no matter how £2,000 a ton and he estimated his the pound may have changed in return as from 800% to 1,000%. In value. one voyage in 1602 he made enough to outfit two more ships, and he fought, unsuccessfully apparently, to stop incursions on his patent. The colony of Jamestown almost floundered because seamen, and perhaps the colonists them- Send $20 (postpaid) to: selves, stampeded into what must be AIHP called a sassafras rush. Their eager- 777 Highland Ave. ness for sassafras, it was reported, Madison, WI 53705. reacted to the “prejudice” of the colony. Yet sassafras was the fist ar- ticle to be furnished by Virginia to

Description of Sassafras Tree from Monardes, Joyfull Newes Out of the New- found Worlde, London, 1596.

“The Tree from whence they cut this Wood, whiche they newly brought from the Florida, called Sassafras, is a Tree that groweth to bee very great. . . . The tree and bowes are very light, the rinde being tasted, hath an excellent sweete smell, and it is somewhat like to the smell of Fenell, with muche sweetenesse of taste, and of pleasaunt smell insomuch that a little quantity of this Wood being in a chamber, filleth the ayre conteined in it, and the rinde hath some sharpnesse of taste the inner part hath little smel, the hogher part that containeth the bowes hath leaves: the which be greene after the manner of a Figge tree, with three poyntes. . . . They bee of collour a sadde Greene, and of a sweet smell, and muche more when they be dry. The Indians use to lay them beaten or stamped upon bruises, or when any man is beaten with dry blowes: and being dried they are used in medicinall thinges.”

No. 8 9 COLLECTOR’S CORNER

WANTED: Philatelic items (U.S. and GOOD HEALTH TO ALL FROM THE SNAKE-OIL SYNDROME, by A. worldwide) related to pharmacy, drugs or REXALL! I collect anything made for the Walker Bingham; 196 pages oversized, medicinal plants. Interested in a wide range Rexall Store. Especially want early con- more than 500 illustrations, 60 pages in of philatelic items including postage stamps, sumer products and pharmacy items manu- full color. An in-depth reference work on advertising stamps, envelopes, postmarks/ factured by the United Drug Company patent medicine advertising in the context cancellations, philatelic literature relating to (1903-46, Boston). Also Rexall AD-VAN- of efficacy and the selling images used. pharmacy. Contact Jack Chen, 7854 TAGES magazines, calendars, almanacs, Cross-indexed by subject and product Calmcrest Drive, Downey, CA 90240; (909) photos, and other franchise and advertising names, with notes, bibliography, and list of 469-5602 or via email [email protected]. materials. United Drug brands: Puretest, public collections. Hardcover, $44.00 post- Firstaid, Elkay, Kantleek, Jonteel, Liggett’s, paid from the Christopher Publishing WANTED: Surgical related items from Fenway, Harmony (cosmetics), Electrex House, 24 Roackland Street, Hanover, MA the 18th and 19th century. Instruments, (appliances), Old Colony (inks), Klenzo, 12339. books, etchings, photos and anything of in- etc. What have you? Frank Sternad, P.O. terest. Contact Dr. Alan Koslow at Box 560, Fulton, CA 95439; (707) 546- FOR SALE: CD on Dr. Hatchett’s Drug [email protected] or (515) 267-1821. 3106, e-mail [email protected] Store Museum (small town drugstore, SW Georgia). Consisting of almost 200 pages it FOR SALE: Extensive antique collection: ANTIQUE TOY MUSEUM: Located in describes many off-the-counter medicines Queen Anne balance with City of New Baltimore, North of the Inner Harbor. Mu- and patent medicines as well as other York seals, pill roller, assorted pill bottles, seum contains apothecary shop with hun- mainly early- and mid-twentieth-century stone mortar believed to be 15th or 16th dreds of pharmaceutical antiques. Anne products. Includes product composition, pe- century. A bronze mortar, as pictured in the Smith, Director. Open Thurs., Fri. and Sat., riod advertising, prices, manufacturers, his- Pill Rollers (p. 65), and 20 additional brass 11:00-4:00. Call for special appointments. tory, dosage, etc. Includes index by product mortars of various ages. Pictures available (410) 230-0580, 222 West Read Street, Bal- and manufacturer. Available through or may be viewed in person at Boynton timore, MD. Stewart County Historical Commission, Beach, FL. Contact Herb Leonard (561) P.O. Box 818, Lumpkin, Georgia 31815 for 364-8967. FOR SALE: Apothecary Antiques includ- $12 a CD. Questions may be sent to Allen ing drug jars, apothecary bottles, manufac- Vegotsky (a.vegotsky@worldnet. att.net). FOR SALE: One-hundred-year-old his- turing tools, medical instruments including torical pharmacy documents containing leech jar and various dental items; books FOR SALE: The Pill Rollers 3rd Edition historical signatures. A Doctor In Phar- dealing with the above subjects available, is an extensive revision from cover to macy certificate issued to Ephraim catalogues issued. Always buying similar cover. Practically all artifacts in previous Shaw Tyler in 1902 and signed by Jo- items or collections. John S. Gimesh, MD., edition have been retained, with over 100 seph P. Remington and Henry Kraemer 202 Stedman St., Fayetteville, NC 28305; new items, and the historical monographs and others and issued to Ephraim Shaw (910) 484-2219. have been greatly expanded. The price in- Tyler by the Alumni Association of the cludes a separate 8-page Price Guide— Philadelphia College of Pharmacy in shipping is $37.50. Pay with personal 1902. Both are well framed. Contact WANTED: Show globes, fancy apothecary check or money order and send to Charles Charles R. Weiss at (330) 633-4342 or bottles, porcelain jars, trade catalogs, win- G. Richardson, 1176 South Dogwood [email protected]. dow pieces, patent medicines, and advertis- Drive, Harrisonburg, VA 22801. For addi- ing. Contact Mart James, 487 Oakridge tional information e-mail [email protected] FOR SALE: Own a piece of the financial Rd., Dyersburg, TN 38024; (731) 286- history of drug, chemical, pharmaceutical, 2025; e-mail: [email protected] and health care companies. Stock/Bond cer- The AIHP brings together those who tificates (cancelled) are both history and an WANTED: Books & journals on Phar- artform. Most priced under $7.00 each. wish to buy, sell, or trade artifacts macy (pre-1920), Pharmacognosy, Herbal/ or books related to the history of Send SASE for list. Interested in buying Botanic Medicine, Eclectic & Thomsonian pharmacy. Free classified advertis- similar items. Wayne Segal, Box 181, Medicine, Phytochemistry, and Ethno- Runnemede, NJ 08078. e-mail botany. I will purchase one title or entire li- ing is available to members ($5.00 a [email protected] braries. David Winston, Herbalist & Alche- line to non-members). Send copy to mist Books, P.O. Box 553, Broadway, NJ Apothecary’s Cabinet, AIHP, 777 08808, (908) 835-0822, fax: (908) 835- Highland Ave, Madison, WI 53705, 0824, e-mail: [email protected] or [email protected]. 10 Apothecary’s Cabinet Pharmacy in the Museum World

Pioneer Village Apothecary Shop Spring Mill State Park, Mitchell, Indiana

by Mark Zacharias

THE Spring Mill pioneer village In 1930, Spring Mill State apothecary shop, along with the Park, including the Pioneer Village, mill, mill office, mercantile, nurs- was opened to visitors. The Park and ery school, inn, and carriage house, village have been in continuous op- is original to the village, founded in eration since that time. the early years of the nineteenth For 72 years, the village was in- century. When the village flour- terpreted in the context of the year ished—especially during the years 1832, but in 2003, the date was leading up to the Civil War—the changed to 1863. In this way, visitors huge stone mill was the center- can experience many of the realities piece of the economic life of the vil- of early pioneer life, while at the lage and surrounding countryside. same time, become acquainted with Added to this were other busi- the history of South Central Indiana nesses including a two-story inn, during the Civil War. Volunteer Mark Zacharias dresses in distillery, leatherworker, wood- The Apothecary Shop has period costume in the apothecary worker, cooper, cobbler, black- stood side-by-side with the Mercan- shop. smith, a lime-making industry, and tile for more than 170 years. Many several thriving cottage industries artifacts from the nineteenth century (i.e., weaving, hat-making, and are on display including seventy-one height of its activity, the village was candle-making). antique hand-blown bottles filled inhabited by 70 families, with 300 Prior to the coming of the rail- with medicines from aconite to yar- families living in Marion Township. road in the 1850s, goods were trans- row; a thirty-two-drawer apothecary The old dentist chair survives ported to Louisville and beyond by cabinet with labels such as “amy- and is now housed in the mill mu- ox-cart and by flatboat down the lum,” “camwood,” “humulus,” “mad- seum. There is evidence that Dr. White River to the Ohio River. Dur- der,” “senega,” “spigelia,” and Lemon not only kept the shop, pre- ing the Civil War years and follow- “whiting”; two sets of antique mor- pared medicines, performed surger- ing, the village began to die, prima- tars, one set made of stone, the other ies, and practiced dentistry, he also rily because the railroad lines had to of cast iron; two very old plant/seed spent a great deal of his time treating bypass the rugged valley where the grinder/separators; several types of the sick in their homes. village is located, and because it be- scales; a set of old glass funnels; During his early years, he, came possible to operate grist mills various old medical bags and along with many physicians at that virtually anywhere using steam pouches; examples of nineteenth- time, practiced “heroic medicine,” power. century splints made of leather, but there are signs that he began Spring Mill village continued to wood, and metal; several sets of studying homeopathic treatments exist until 1898 when the last of the medical science and surgical books, and methods, and began using these villagers left. Not long after the turn mostly from the 1870s, as well as an more and more in the 1840s and of the century, concerned citizens in early edition of The Homeopathic early 1850s. Lawrence and the surrounding coun- Domestic Physician (1854). **** ties appealed to the state to restore From the early 1820s till his My wife, Pat Robertson, and I the village and open it as part of a death in 1856, Dr. Jacob Lemon was have visited the pioneer village many state park. The state agreed, and the physician, dentist, and apoth- times over the years, and were al- during the 1920s the mill itself was ecary for the Spring Mill village ways interested in the old Apoth- restored, many of the homes and proper and surrounding area. He ecary Shop. In 2002, we decided to buildings rebuilt, while other log was “self-trained” and villagers of become volunteers with the Indiana homes and buildings contemporary the time counted themselves fortu- Department of Natural Resources, to the original village, were brought nate to have their own doctor. Dur- specifically to volunteer in the in from nearby townships. ing the 1830s and 1840s, at the Apothecary Shop. Along with the

No. 8 11 full-time staff and other volunteers, ous medicines and how they were we dress in period costume, and do used during the pioneer days—also our best to bring to life nineteenth how most are still being used even AIHP Student century medicine and pharmacy for today. visitors. Invariably this leads to remi- Membership Pat will normally set up a rock- niscences of home remedies and ing chair over by the back door, and medical treatments visitors experi- Students can join the American will work on sewing projects while enced growing up. We notice nostal- Institute of the History of Phar- answering questions about the shop, gia for the “good old days,” but also a macy at the special rate of $20, the village, plant and herbal rem- profound sense of gratitude for all instead of the regular $50. edies, midwifery, and folk medicine, the progress that has made in medi- Even though the rates are re- as well as answering numerous ques- cal science since those days. duced, the benefits are the tions about the period garments she We would like to invite every- is sewing. one to visit the Pioneer Village at same: I am usually stationed behind Spring Mill State Park (Indiana’s Pharmacy in History, the counter, visiting with folks about best kept secret) at your earliest op- •subscription to the shop, nineteenth-century medi- portunity. Come by the Apothecary with research articles placing phar- cal practices, the various remedies Shop, stay awhile, and enjoy going macy in historical perspective prescribed at the time and how they back in time to those early days of Apothecary’s Cabinet were made, as well as how things pharmacy. • , with informa- had changed in the village between tion for collectors as well as com- the very early days and 1863. Visitors Spring Mill State Park pact articles covering broad histori- are always curious about the old State 60 E cal topics, and interesting bottles and what they contain, and it Mitchell, IN 47446 anecdotes is always a joy to describe the vari- (812-849-4129) •40% discount on materials in our publications catalog--some of which are books used in pharmacy courses

•the benefits of understanding the long and respected history of your pro- What Is It? fession Join today by sending a check to: AIHP, 777 Highland Ave., Madison, WI 53705, or calling to place a credit card order (608)262-5378. Don’t forget to include your shipping address and year of graduation.

See page 14 for the answer.

12 Apothecary’s Cabinet Historians Come to Madison

At the end of April, over three hundred historians came to Madison for the annual meeting of the American As- sociation for the History of Medicine. Several of the historians received travel support from the Sonnedecker Visiting Scholar fund established in the University of Wisconsin School of Pharmacy. (The Sonnedecker Fund provides grants to researchers traveling to Madison to utilize its pharmaco-historical resources. For more information about the program go to: www.pharmacy.wisc.edu/aihp/sonnedecker.htm) These visitors (and their topics) included Caroline Acker of Carnegie Mellon (hypodermic syringe); Ellen Dwyer of Indiana University (treatments of epilepsy up to Dilantin); Nathan Moon of Georgia Tech (“pre-history” of Ritalin); Nicolas Rasmussen of MIT & University of New South Wales (amphetamines); Karen-Beth Scholthof of Texas A & M (ergot); and Carolyn Shapiro-Shapin of Grand Valley College (pertussis treatments). All these researchers worked mainly in the Kremers Reference Files with some lesser time spent in the University of Wisconsin Phar- macy, Medical, or Memorial Libraries. Other researchers who visited the Institute at this time included Julia Sheppard of the Wellcome Library of London, Toby Appel of Yale, Ernest Hook of the University of California, and Jeremy Greene of Harvard, plus stal- wart pharmacy historians John Swann, William Helfand, and Dennis Worthen. In addition to hosting researchers, the Institute had an informational table in the book exhibit of the AAHM and sponsored a luncheon session on pharmaceutical history. Over thirty historians at the session listened to five panelists describe various resources of value to the field. Last but not least, AIHP Assistant Director Elaine Stroud did the layout and co-ordinated the production of the program for the AAHM meeting, which received high praise for its design.—GREG HIGBY

CALL FOR PAPERS AIHP Section on Contributed Papers at the APhA Annual Meeting 2-5 April 2005 Orlando, Florida

•Titles and 200-word abstracts for 15-minute podium presentation must be received by October 1, 2004. With your abstract please include name, affiliation, address, phone number, and email address if available.

•Send abstracts to Anthony Palmieri III, AIHP Section Chair Contributed Papers: email: [email protected] (*prefererred) phone: 352-392-4903 mailing address (hardcopies): University of Florida-Gainsville, Office of Technol- ogy Licensing, Walker Hall, Box 115500, Gainesville, FL 32666

•For additional information, contact the AIHP office (608-262-5378); email ([email protected]).

No. 8 13 Drachms & Scruples Terms according to the Encyclopedia of Pharmaceutical Technology, Dekker, 2001*

Moxa: Moxa are cones of combustible are designated (in millimeters) ac- of finely powdered sugar. Confec- matter used for cauterization by cording to size by the diameter of tion of Rose and Confection of burning (see Cones). Moxibustion, the base. The common size (No. 6) Senna were official in the National the burning of moxa, was an ancient should abssorb about 2 drops of dis- Formulary through the 5th edition method of counter-irritation or cau- pensing alcohol. Cones are medi- (1926). tery arising out of China. Small cated by adding a sufficient quan- cones of combustible organic ma- tity of the dilution to saturate them terial (originally Artimesia moxa or and pouring off the excess liquid. common mugwort) were placed on Confections: Confections are saccarine, certain areas of the skin, ignited, soft solids, in which one or more and allowed to burn down, leaving medicinal substances are incorpo- Inhaler showing a blister. Moxa entered Western rated to provide an agreeable form the menthol cone, medicine in the seventeenth century of administration and a convenient from Sharp & as a treatment for gout but fell into method for preservation. In the thir- Dohme, 1897. disuse a century later along with teenth century, some apothecaries other forms of cautery. were called confectionarii from Cones, medicated: Cones are light, po- confectio meaning “a composi- rous hemispherical masses of su- tion.” Confections are made by *Robert A. Buerki and Gregory J. Higby, “His- crose and egg albumin, used as a adding medicinal ingredients in ei- tory of Dosage Forms and Basic Preparations,” vehicle for homeopathic medica- ther the form of a smooth paste, a Encyclopedia of Pharmaceutical Technology, tions. The cones, also called disks, fine powder, or a liquid to a basis Dekker, 2001.

What Is It?

Any movement of either of At present Opium and other these porters, at the moment of merchandise is weighed by the weighing, will alter it and, therefore, Constantinople oke, but opium is the greatest care is necessary. The sold by the chequi. “Cantar” is divided by notches on . . . the upper angle, into Okes and frac- In almost every town in Tur- tions of Okes of Constantinople. key, weights and measures vary. The Regarding the weight of a turkish government passed a law es- Chequi, I have to inform you that tablished all weights and measures there is no such actual weight; it is throughout the Empire obligatory, in only a nominal weight arrived at by accordance with the decimal system calculation. [Note—In quoting in France. This law was to take effect Opium, say for example—130 Pias- some two years since, but up to this ters per Chequi, of Current quality time nothing more has been heard of Opium.] Formerly the Smyrna kintal it—a dead letter, like most all at- was used—for buying and selling tempts of Turkish reforms.”—Circu- “A correspondent in Smyrna merchanise—divided into 45 okes. lar No. 31 Philadelphia Drug Ex- has kindly furnished a sketch, show- One kintal weighted 120 pound change. (Am. Jour. Pharm. Oct., ing the primitive manner in which avoir-dupois, consequently 1 oke 1875) opium is weighed there. . . . It shows weighed 2 2/3 pounds. An oke was the form of the “Cantar,” or steel- considered to be 400 drams (al- yards, which is suspended from a though the Smyrna Oke was only pole, resing on the shoulders of two 380 drams) and 250 drams were porters. considered at 1 chequi. 14 Apothecary’s Cabinet A Backward Glance at American Pharmacy EDITED BY GREG HIGBY

“Two very sedate, middle-aged women came into a Boston drug store and in a somewhat confused 100 Years Ago manner asked for the proprietor, with whom they had a confidential talk regarding their needs. It appeared that they were about to go to a summer residence in the country where they had two maids— no man about the place. Fearing possible visits from burglars, the ladies wished the druggist would fix them up something in the form of a harmless yet efficacious drug which they were to use to ‘doctor’ a decanter of whiskey. (They had decided that this would be a tempting bait.) And this when drugged was to be left where burglars would find it the first thing, and in the hope that they could not resist a first drink, before beginning their ‘burgling,’ the maiden ladies expected . . . that the men would be paralyzed and remain so until discovered the next morning. The druggist feared serious re- sults might follow. Whether or not some other pharmacist satisfied their wants is not known. The ladies had such faith in their idea that they were almost willing to have a burglar break in, merely to see how the scheme would work.” (Pharmaceutical Era, August 18, 1904, p. 164.)

75 Years Ago “Permits for the manufacture of 2,000,000 gallons of medicinal whisky during 1930 will be issued by the Bureau of Prohibition to concentration warehousemen who were engaged in distilling before the passage of the national prohibition law . . . . The actual supply of whisky now on hand is 9,549,017 gallons . . . and this is a supply for five years, based on the average withdrawals of from 1,500,000 to 1,650,000 gallons per year. The whisky must age four years before being prescribed, and it is estimated that the 2,000,000 gallons to be manufacured next year will by evaporation and soakage be reduced to between 1,600,000 gallons and 1,700,000 gallons. The output of ensuing years will be determined by the bureau on the basis of trends in stocks and withdrawals. A margin of one year’s supply of aged whisky is deemed sufficient for normal conditions.” (Druggists Circular, August 1929, p. 14)

50 Years Ago A September 1954 issue the New York Daily Mirror contained a bit of doggerel by columnist Nick Kenny praising his local pharmacist:

The Druggist

His place is on the corner And it’s open day and night; When sickness comes how glad we are To see his shining light.

We jest about his sandwiches When everything is calm But with his drugs and mortar He’s the doctor’s good right arm.

So toast this friendly fellow And give credit where it’s due . . . To the druggist on the corner Just around the block from you.

(American Druggist, September 27, 1954, p. 6)

25 Years Ago “Drug stores in suburban shopping malls where shoppers depend heavily on the automobile experienced sharp sales declines due to gasoline shortages in some regions of the country. On the other hand, stores situated closer to residential and urban areas of the gas-starved regions felt little impact. In fact, some drug store operators reported sales gains directly related to the shortage. . . . A spokesman for the Na- tional Association of Retail Druggists described the situation as ‘an absolute mess’ for some drug stores and predicted that sales would continue to fall for the rest of the summer unless the shortages were rem- edied soon. . . . Although prescription sales have been normal for the most part, drug supply deliveries have been spotty. . . . Drug wholesalers complained of difficulty making routine deliveries of goods to drug stores in gasoline-deficient areas.” (American Druggist, August 1979, p. 10)

No. 8 15 Gift Offer

LOOKING for that perfect gift for a mentor or colleague? Purchase the special package of Drugstore Memories and A Guide to Pharmacy Museums for $30, and we will include a FREE TRIAL MEMBERSHIP! (A $50 value.) A letter will be included with the package informing the recipient of your generous gift.

Membership includes 4 issues of Phar- macy in History, 2 issues of Apothecary’s Cabinet, and the satisfaction in knowing that you are helping preserve the heri- tage of American Pharmacy.

Order these two books today—call 608- 262-5378 or mail in your $30 check to: AIHP, 777 Highland Ave., Madison, WI 53705.

Non-Profit Org. from a unique agency of pharmacy U.S. Postage The American Institute of the History of Pharmacy PAID 777 Highland Ave., Madison, WI 53705-2222 Madison, Wisconsin Permit No. 881

16 Apothecary’s Cabinet