Jul82016

How to Stock a Victorian Medicine Cabinet: Custard Protocol Historical Research

Primrose is particularly good at her job of ship’s purser (and chief of supplies) aboard the Spotted Custard in Imprudence.

One of Primrose’s jobs consists of stocking the medicine cabinet on board the Spotted Custard. Alexia in the Parasol Protectorate series is rather infamous for insisting that either vinegar or bicarbonate of soda could solve all of life’s ills, however her daughter is a bit more (shall we say) prudent on these matters.

I’ve listed the items as the Victorians might have. [In brackets is the use or perceived use and/or more modern term.] I hope it goes without saying that this is in no way a suggested medical selection for modern times. However, this is the internet, so I’m saying it.

Supplies for a Victorian Household Medicine Cabinet 1870-1900

  1. Powdered ipecacuanha [induce vomiting]
  2. Purgative powder [laxative]
  3. Sulphate of quinine [malaria treatment]
  4. Chlorodyne [chloroform and morphine tincture] & laudanum [opiate in alcohol, often sherry]
  5. Carbolic acid [antiseptic]
  6. Castor oil [Ricinus]
  7. Eno’s fruit salts
  8. One bottle each of M’Kesson and Robbin’s compound podophyllin and aloes and myrrh pills [for warts and verrucas, also purgative]
  9. Stick of nitrate of silver [antibacterial, often used in eyes for conjunctivitis, skin infections, ulcers]
  10. Cholera pills
  11. Iodine [used on rashes and wounds]
  12. Tabloids of antipyrin and phenacetin [analgesic and antipyretic]
  13. Aspirin [willow bark extract]
  14. Salicylate of soda [pain relief, for skin conditions like eczema and psoriasis]
  15. Boracic acid [disinfectant]
  16. Cough lozenges
  17. Tabloids of grey powder [mercury in calk, mainly purgative and antisyphilitic]
  18. Kay’s essence of linseed [coughs and colds]
  19. Clean undyed squares of cotton, wool, linen
  20. Oiled silk
  21. Roll of adhesive plaster
  22. Bandages [usually linen]
  23. Dressing forceps

Gail’s Sources for Victorian Home Medicine

I drew up this list from a combination of sources:

vIron Cordial, King of Tonics, 1886 (includes a remedy for being female)

 

Other Fun Posts on Victorian Health & Medicine

 

Now don’t even get me started on Victorian cosmetics.

Advertisement for Fould’s arsenic complexion wafers by H B Fould in New York, 1901.

Book most relevant to this discussion?

2Imprudence

Imprudence ~ Custard Protocol Book the Second

Rue and the crew of the Spotted Custard return from India with revelations that shake the foundations of England’s scientific community. Queen Victoria is not amused, the vampires are tetchy, and something is wrong with the local werewolf pack. To top it all off, Rue’s best friend Primrose keeps getting engaged to the most unacceptable military types.

Rue has family problems as well. Her vampire father is angry, her werewolf father is crazy, and her obstreperous mother is both. Worst of all, Rue’s beginning to suspect what they really are… is frightened.

GAIL’S DAILY DOSE

Your Moment of Parasol . . .

Your Infusion of Cute . . .

The Bookworm: Part Bookshelf, Part Cocoon Chair

Your Tisane of Smart . . .

Seaside Fashions of the 19th Century

Your Writerly Tinctures . . .  

Awkward Fear of the Romance Genre

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Quote of the Day:

“I expect I shall feel better after tea.”

~ P.G. Wodehouse, Carry on, Jeeves

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Posted by Gail Carriger

3 Responses

  1. Becky said:

    “…more dead than normal…” Bwahaha!! 🙂 Oh what a tease you are! Come on 19th!! Can’t wait!

  2. Bridget said:

    “…unfortunately not gun shot wounds.” Close reading is a bless and a curse!

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