'Kepler' Cod Liver Oil with malt extract, England, 1880-1930

Blue box and empty dummy, 20fl.oz glass bottle of "Kepler" Cod Liver Oil, with malt extract and hypophosphites, by Burroughs Wellcome and Co., 1880-1930

Cod liver oil is rich in vitamins A and D which are essential for growth of the bones. Without these vitamins conditions such as rickets can occur. Although these vitamins are in green vegetables, oil, fish and eggs, taking one teaspoonful to two dessertspoonfuls of cod liver oil twice or three times a day was a way of ensuring that the body got enough. Unpleasant to taste, this daily dose of vitamins was not a childhood treat.

Made by Burroughs, Wellcome & Co., ‘Kepler’ cod liver oil had malt extract with added calcium and potassium salts, also needed for bone growth.