This chest contains medicines for the treatment of cholera, an infectious gastrointestinal disease. It includes opium draughts to relieve pain and another draught containing catechu to shrink the swollen lining of the intestines. There are also instructions for mixing the draughts. Cholera epidemics swept across Europe and America from the 1830s onwards. In Britain, Dr John Snow (1813-1858) famously traced the source of a cholera outbreak to a particular water pump, thus proving that it was a water-borne disease that could be prevented by improved sanitation. Made by Godfrey & Cooke.

Picture Reference: 10290013
Subject: MEDICINE & HEALTH > Materia Medica & Pharmacology > Medicine Containers, Chests
Inventory No.: A054893
Credit: Science Museum

Keywords: 1870-1913, 1900s, 20th Century, Age Of Electricity, Catechu, Chest, Cholera, Cooke, Containers, Disease, Drug, Europe, Godfrey, Godfrey And Cooke, Medical, Medicine, Medicine, Medication, Medicine Containers, Chests, Medical Science, Opium, Pharmacology, Science, Uk, United Kingdom

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