Pill coating machine for adding a sugar coat, machine-turned (?) copper drum on decorated brass pedestal, French, 1915-1925
Originally attached to a motor to rotate the copper drum, this machine was used to give pills and tablets a sugar coating. The copper drum was warmed and the gelatine or mucilage (a sticky glue-like substance) was added. Pills already dusted with sugar were added to the warm copper drum and rotated in the mucilage to make sure the sugar stuck to the pills. Sugar coated pills and tablets are easier to swallow and took away any bitter taste.
Details
- Category:
- Pharmacy-ware
- Object Number:
- 1986-1396
- Materials:
- copper alloy, brass, complete and lacquer
- Measurements:
-
overall: 510 mm x 220 mm x 250 mm, 230 mm,
- type:
- pill coating machine
- credit:
- Christie's South Kensington Limited