Andrew Nethercott Antiques has dated this piece to the 1900s.
Marked morphine & atropine, cocaine and apomorphia.
Hicks' Patent
White and clear glass tubes with black glass labeling
Nickel plated screw on covers over rubber seals with small pull out sealing plugs
All in excellent condition with no damage or repair, all plugs and covers removable.
Height of case 2,7/8"
A rare and cultural-historically interesting collectable
The tubes are empty, rubber seals aged.
They were added to food, cigarettes, ointments, powders, and even cough lozenges for children. Additionally, American doctors started prescribing morphine, other alkaloids, and cocaine more frequently to their patients, often without a severe medical indication.
These substances became particularly popular among upper- and middle-class women as remedies for “women’s troubles” such as nervousness, headaches, depression, and lethargy. The uncontrolled use of narcotic substances led to addiction in patients, and over time, drug addiction became an increasingly severe problem. In 1915, the United States implemented a law to regulate the production, distribution, and consumption of products containing opiates and cocaine.
Andrew Nethercott Antiques has dated this piece to the 1900s.
Works of art, collectables, scientific and decorative antiques from the 17th - 20th century
You can view the stock and full dealer information on the Andrew Nethercott Antiques Profile Page
Apomorphia Morphine & Atropine Cocaine Drug Vials Storage
