What fits inside these small boxes today?

Modern medication often comes in larger capsules than eighteenth-century pills. You might find a standard paracetamol tablet struggles to fit inside the very shallowest Georgian examples. Small mints or sweetener tablets work well. Many collectors just keep them empty on a desk to admire the craftsmanship.

I have noticed a lot of the silver ones have little holes pierced in the inner grill, was that for a specific type of medicine?

Those are actually vinaigrettes rather than standard pill containers. The pierced grill held a tiny piece of sponge soaked in aromatic oils or vinegar. People held them under their nose to mask bad street smells. While they look similar on the outside, the internal structure means they serve a separate purpose.

Can you clean the inside metal?

A gentle wipe with a dry cloth is enough. Abrasive polishes will rub the soft gold layer right off. A wooden toothpick helps lift old residue out without scratching the base material.

My grandmother left me a little enamelled box with a mirrored lid inside, would the mirror have been used for applying medical ointments?

Mirrors point toward cosmetics rather than medicine. A piece like that was likely a patch box, used for storing the small silk beauty spots popular in the eighteenth century. The mirror let the owner check the placement of the patch on their face. The basic shape is identical to antique pill boxes, but the fitted glass gives the game away.

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Antique Pill Boxes

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Antique pill boxes are small, pocket-sized containers made from metal, wood or enamel, originally designed to carry a personal supply of medicinal powders and lozenges.