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