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Science Museum Group Collection
© The Board of Trustees of the Science Museum
Leatherette first aid serum kit, including 7 glass ampoules of drug preparations, missing syringe and cocaine ampoule. 22 mm x 122 mm x 82 mm, .08kg. Ampoules contain: Ether, spartine, ergotinine, camphorated oil, caffeine and morphine. Supplied by Marius Fraisse and Co., Paris, French, c. 1905.
This first aid kit contains a number of ampoules filled with liquid. Each coloured glass corresponds to a different liquid so they were easy to identify in an emergency. The blue glass contains caffeine, which was believed to relieve pain. The white glass contains ether, a popular anaesthetic. ‘Ergotine’ in the yellow ampoule was used to control heavy bleeding. The camphorated oil was used to help soothe bruises, aches and pains. All the liquids were to be given by injection.
Unfortunately the syringe is missing, along with the purple ampoule of cocaine used as a local anaesthetic.
Details
- Category:
- Materia Medica & Pharmacology
- Collection:
- Sir Henry Wellcome's Museum Collection
- Object Number:
- A600201
- Materials:
- incomplete, leather, leatherette, glass, morphine, camphorated oil, ergotinine, caffeine, spartine, ether pur, paper (fibre product), cardboard and cotton (textile)
- Measurements:
-
overall: 22 mm x 270 mm x 112 mm, 0.09 kg
ampoule: 90 mm
- type:
- first aid kit and morphine
- credit:
- Wellcome Trust
