Brown glass bottle of phosphorus, zinc and strychnine pills, London, England, 1920-1940

Made:
1920-1940 in London
maker:
Parke, Davis and Company Limited
Bottle of phosphorus, zinc and strychnine pills, by Parke

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Bottle of phosphorus, zinc and strychnine pills, by Parke
Science Museum Group Collection
© The Board of Trustees of the Science Museum

Brown glass bottle of phosphorus, zinc and strychnine pills, by Parke, Davis and Co., London, 1920-1940

Not much is known about why someone would take these pills. Strychnine is a stimulant for the central nervous system and may have been used to treat nerve disorders. High doses of this plant extract are poisonous. The pills are coated with gelatine so they are easy to swallow.

Details

Category:
Materia Medica & Pharmacology
Collection:
Sir Henry Wellcome's Museum Collection
Object Number:
A627783
Materials:
glass, cork and colour
Measurements:
overall: 75 mm x 27 mm x 22 mm, .05kg
type:
bottle