Bottle of quinine hydrochloride tablets, by Burroughs Wellcome and Co., London, 1901-1930

Quinine was used as a treatment for malaria because of its fever reducing and pain relieving qualities. Four or more tablets were taken each day and could be taken two, three or four times daily in an attempt to prevent the onset of the disease. Burroughs, Wellcome & Co was one of the pharmaceutical companies to place research on a scientific footing. From 1895 onwards Henry Wellcome set up laboratories for chemical and physiological research.