Collection of prepared medicines and chemicals made by Burroughs Wellcome and Co

Stramonium was originally an African medicine used for fevers. It was introduced into clinical use by Philadelphia physician Samuel Cooper in the late 1700s. It mainly treated epilepsy and respiratory complaints. Stramonium became notorious in that period for being implicated in poisoning cases. In the 20th century, it was smoked in cigars to relieve asthma. It also treated Parkinson’s disease.

Manufacturer Burroughs Wellcome and Company claimed ‘Tabloid’ brand products were supplied ‘throughout the world to planters, ships, yachts, and all great exploring and hunting expeditions.’ This box and bottle are examples of dummy packaging. They were tested by the company before the product went on general sale.

Phenobarbitone was a drug used to treat epilepsy. It reduced the severity and frequency of seizures and would only be prescribed by a physician. This glass bottle of ‘Tabloid’ phenobarbitone tablets lists the contents as poisonous. The anti-seizure effect of phenobarbitone was realised in 1912 and it fast became one of the most prescribed drugs for epilepsy.

‘Tabloid’ was a brand name for compacted medicines. These were patented in 1884 by Burroughs, Wellcome & Co, the makers of this drug. The instructions on the box are in English, French, German, Spanish and Italian, illustrating how the company aimed for and delivered to a global market. Phenobarbitone is no longer prescribed, having been replaced by newer epilepsy treatments.