Storage tube, metal, for storing vaccine tubes, 1881-1920, personal relic of Dr. Gregg. No lid found.

Transporting smallpox vaccines was a problem in the 1800s. Ivory vaccination points and lancets had been used but there was always the danger that they might become contaminated. One solution was to seal the vaccine in a glycerol acid in a glass capillary tube. The delicate tubes could then be transported in a metal case like this one.