Bottle of 100 anti-malarial pills, London, England, 1891-1940

Made:
1891-1950 in London
Bottle of 100 gelatin anti-malarial pills by Parke

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Bottle of 100 gelatin anti-malarial pills by Parke
Science Museum Group Collection
© The Board of Trustees of the Science Museum

Bottle of 100 gelatin anti-malarial pills by Parke, Davis & Company, London, 1891-1940

These anti-malarial pills were used by travellers or people living in areas where malaria was common. The pills contain quinine, a bitter tasting part of the bark of a cinchona tree, originally from South America but also cultivated in South Asia. From the early 1800s, quinine was used as a remedy against malaria. It was added to tonic water so the remedy was easier to swallow and today is still present in tonic water. It is still used to a limited degree as a medicine.

Details

Category:
Materia Medica & Pharmacology
Object Number:
2010-93
Materials:
glass, cork and paper (fibre product)
Measurements:
overall: 86 mm x 31 mm x 21 mm, 0.06 kg
type:
anti-malarial drug and bottle
credit:
Unknown source