Jar for sublimate pastilles, Germany, 1914-1918

Made:
1914-1918 in Germany
Jar, clear glass, for sublimate pastilles, glass stoppered Jar, clear glass, for sublimate pastilles, glass stoppered Jar, clear glass, for sublimate pastilles, glass stoppered

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Jar, clear glass, for sublimate pastilles, glass stoppered
Science Museum Group Collection
© The Board of Trustees of the Science Museum

Jar, clear glass, for sublimate pastilles, glass stoppered
Science Museum Group Collection
© The Board of Trustees of the Science Museum

Jar, clear glass, for sublimate pastilles, glass stoppered
Science Museum Group Collection
© The Board of Trustees of the Science Museum

Jar, clear glass, for sublimate pastilles, glass stoppered, full of pastilles, from German W.W.I medicine chest, German, 1914-1918

Skull and crossbones are clearly marked on these sublimate pastilles. This indicates they were extremely hazardous. The clear glass jar is full of pastilles is taken from a German First World War medicine chest. They contain perchloride of mercury. As such, they could probably be used for disinfecting, but their main use was likely to be as a treatment for syphilis and other venereal diseases (VD) – an old term for what are now known as sexually transmitted infections (STIs). This was a major problem in all armies and on any given day, outside of a major battle, they were the main reason for referral to hospital during the First World War.

Details

Category:
Materia Medica & Pharmacology
Collection:
Sir Henry Wellcome's Museum Collection
Object Number:
A656266
Materials:
glass, clear
Measurements:
overall: 165 mm x 70 mm x 70 mm,
type:
jar