BCMA Medical Museum

Object Description

Polished wooden case with hinged lift-up lid. The lid is lined with black leather which has the suppliers name and address stamped in gold lettering 'R. SKINNER HOMOEOPATHIC CHEMIST HIGH ST BROMLEY. KENT.' There are also 2 pockets labelled 'PLASTER', within one pocket is a small leather bound folder stamped 'CALENDULA' [a genus of plants] in gold lettering. To open the draw a brass pin must first be removed. A brass handle opens the drawer which is divided into 4 sections with a leather cover for the far right-hand side section. The case contains 12 pill bottles with corks [10 tied with paper caps] and labels with suppliers name and address, and drug type: Aconitum Nap., Belladonna, China Off., Mercurius Solubilis, Bryonia Alba., Ignatia Amara., Hepar Sulphuris, Ipecacuanha, Rhus Tox., Baptisia, Arsenicum Alb., Nux Vomica., and 3 narrow mouthed squared stoppered bottles: Arnica Montana, Rhus Toxicodendron and Calendula, the latter 2 contain liquid and have leather caps. Lock plate, key and squared stoppered bottle missing.

Object Classification

Accession Number: 993.234.1
Collection: Materia Medica & Pharmacology
Date: c. 1900

Object Dimensions

• Length: 15 cm
• Height: 16 cm
• Depth: 14.8 cm

Object Parts

• a) Case with hinged lined lift-up lid
• b) Case draw with handle and compartment lid
• c) Draw catch pin
• d) Bound folder stamped 'CALENDULA' in gold lettering
• e) Labeled bottle containing 'Aconitum Nap.'
• f) Labeled bottle containing 'Belladonna'
• g) Labeled bottle containing 'Arsenicum Alb.' with loose cap
• h) Labeled bottle containing 'Ignatia Amara' with cap
• i) Labeled bottle containing 'Mercuius Solubilis' with loose cap
• j) Labeled bottle containing 'Baptisia' with cap
• k) Labeled bottle containing 'Rhus Tox.' with cap
• l) Labeled bottle containing 'Bryonia Alba.' with cap
• m) Labeled bottle containing 'Hepar Sulphuris.' with cap
• n) Labeled bottle containing 'China Off.' with cap
• o) Labeled bottle containing 'Ipecacuanha.' with cap
• p) Labeled bottle containing 'Nux Vomica' with loose cap
• q) Stoppered bottle labeled 'Arnica Montana'
• r) Labeled stoppered bottle containing 'Calendula' with cap
• s) Labeled stoppered bottle containing 'Rhus Toxicodendon' with loose cap

Object Materials

• brass,
• cord,
• cork,
• cotton wool,
• drug-pill,
• drug-tablet,
• glass,
• gold foil,
• leather,
• liquid-tincture,
• paper,
• printing ink,
• steel,
• textile,
• wood

Acquisition Detail

• Manufacturer: R. Skinner