Historical information

This jar of ointment belonged to Doris Orr, mother of the donor. Families used these patent medicines which were often purchased from a door to door salesman, the 'Rawleigh's man', on his regular round to country homes.

Significance

Rawleigh's patent medicines were in common use in homes and this is a typical example.

Physical description

A brown jar of Rawleigh's ointment with a green and white label and brown metal lid with the brand name in raised lettering.

Inscriptions & markings

Rawleigh's [on lid]; Rawleigh's Compound Mustard ointment/Will not blister/Preferable to Mustard plaster/The W.T. Rawleigh Co Ltd Melbourne/Registered under The Health (Patent Medicines) Act 1942 [label]