Blue glass sputum bottle, England, 1871-1920

Made:
1871-1920 in England
Blue glass sputum bottle

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Blue glass sputum bottle
Science Museum Group Collection
© The Board of Trustees of the Science Museum

Blue glass sputum bottle, oval in section with cap and outlet at bottom, probably English, 1871-1920.

Sputum bottles were used by people suffering from tuberculosis to cough sputum into. The foul-smelling sputum contains the bacteria responsible for causing the disease. Contact with sputum, coughed up from the lungs, could spread the disease. The blue glass bottle would have been cleaned and disinfected after use.

Details

Category:
Public Health & Hygiene
Collection:
Sir Henry Wellcome's Museum Collection
Object Number:
A650914
Materials:
pear-shaped, glass, aluminium (metal), complete and blue
Measurements:
overall: 112 mm x 73 mm x 37 mm, .12 kg
type:
sputum bottle