This Cresolene vapouriser is an "American" product when "home" based remedial products were of a high demand due to lack of specialised medical facilities such as a hospital in rural communities. "An apparatus for reducing medicated liquids to a state of vapor suitable for inhalation or application to accessible mucous membrane A device for volatising liquid anesthetics." The only criteria used by Health authorities in the decision to provide a community with hospitals was and still is the size of the population it feeds. The introduction of the SEC Victorian Hydro Electricity Scheme started in the 1940's, was the impetus for health planners to build a hospital in the Kiewa Valley. Rural regions especially those considered semi or fully remote locations had to rely on farm based remedial health "alternative medical treatment". This product is such a remedy.This vapouriser is very significant to a rural area such as the Kiewa Valley as it demonstrates the "home" remedies that were available to rural communities such as the cattle and sheep stations before the Kiewa Valley had a hospital(1949). The influx of workers employed by the SEC Vic. Hydro Electricity Scheme(circa 1940's onward) changed dramatically the need for a hospital and specialised medical treatment. The reliance of "health products" such as this vaporiser were still in high demand especially when on the box of this product was printed "Guaranteed under the Food and Drugs Act, June 30, 1906, Serial no. 436". Also on the packaging is printed "A remedy Whooping Cough also Asthma, Catarrh, Colds Diptheria, Croup, Coughs Hay Fever, Sore Throat, Influenza, Etc." An additional benefit of this product "Is obnoxious to Moths, Flies, Mosquitos, Ants, Cock Roaches, Hen Lice, and other Troublesome insects." This advertising is dated before a tightening in the "advertising" legislation of post mid 1900's. However it was a good attraction for rural communities wanting relief of "rural" pests. This vaporiser stand with its cradle and dish is made from cast iron (stand) and tin (dish). At the bottom of the "dish" is a flame diffusion port with eight heat directional holes. The stand upright is painted gold in colour.See KVHS 0342 (B) for markings and advertising material printed on the box which contains this item.home based vaporisers, first aid, home nursing, over-the-counter medicines

This packaging/box containing a home based health product was in use well before the Federal Department of Health legislation tightened up the permissible advertising for "health" products. The strict Occupation and Health Legislation of the later 1900's would not have allowed the grandiose statements printed on this container. It was only later in the 1900's that stricter laws covering medical or quasi medical products came into Australian legislation.This box is very significant (in the time period of pre 1940's), to a semi isolated region as the Kiewa Valley, especially before the valley had a hospital, pre 1949. The reliance of "health products" such as what is stored in this box, were still in high demand, especially when on the box of this product was printed "Guaranteed under the Food and Drugs Act, June 30, 1906, Serial no. 436", a quasi legitimising statement. Also on the packaging is printed "A remedy Whooping Cough also Asthma, Catarrh, Colds Diptheria, Croup, Coughs Hay Fever, Sore Throat, Influenza, Etc." An additional benefit of this product "Is obnoxious to Moths, Flies, Mosquitos, Ants, Cock Roaches, Hen Lice, and other Troublesome insects." This advertising is dated before a tightening in the "advertising" legislation of post mid 1900's. However it was a good "purchase" for rural communities wanting relief of "rural" pests.home based vaporisers, first aid, home nursing, over-the-counter medicines

Beecham’s Pills became one of the most popular ‘over the counter’ patent medicines after their introduction in the 1840s. Developed by Thomas Beecham, Beecham’s Pills were a standard family medicine for many generations. (Ref sciencemuseum.org)This item reflects changes in public health medical practice and research over the last century. Beecham pills were a commonly purchased home remedy.Small, round wooden container for Beecham's Pills. Still has original label and two pills inside.medicine beecham pharmacy

Brothers Davis and Lowell Chamberlain, along with their sister Izanna, established what became known as the Chamberlain Medicine Company in 1873. The Des Moines, Iowa-based company eventually stretched to Australia, Canada and South Africa. Chamberlains Colic and Diarrhea Remedy used alcohol, ether, and chloroform to soothe upset stomachs. The company also sold a cough remedy, liniment, pain relief balm and lotion. Chamberlain’s Colic, Cholera and Diarrhea Remedy was one of many thousands of patent medicines that made incredible, and often false, claims about their effectiveness, and became tremendously profitable. Eventually government regulations were put in place to prevent medicine manufacturers from making unfounded claims about their products.This item is an example of a typical "over the counter" patented medicine commonly used by families. It reflect the changes in public health, medical practice and research over the last century.Small green tinted medicine bottle. Writing on front. Cork is attached with wire handle.Front-Chamberlain's Colic & diarrhea Remedy Side- Sydney NSW Side Chamberlain's Ltd Bottom-1185bottle chamberlain's medicine remedies

De Witt's Kidney and Bladder Pills were produced by a firm founded in 1912 by E C De Witt, Cheshire UK, with branches in New Zealand, Chicago and New York. It became part of the CB Fleet Group in 1990, whose UK operation is currently based in Runcorn, Cheshire where they still manufacture toiletries, skin care products and pharmaceutical products. Aimed at adults and children above the age of eight, De Witt’s Kidney and Bladder Pills were intended to ease backache, aches and pains in the muscles, and kidney problems. They are typical of a huge range of treatments that were available ‘over the counter’ at pharmacists for many years. It is not known how effective the pills were but the label assures people not to be alarmed if their urine takes on a bluish colour after taking a dose. The indications or uses for this product as provided by the manufacturer are: A diuretic stimulant for the kidneys to promote the flow of urine, combined with analgesic action. Aids in alleviating muscular aches and pains, restlessness, dizziness, backache, headache, getting up at nights, loss of energy if caused by sluggish kidneys. An empty clear glass bottle with a metal screw top lid that contained De Witts Pills Front Label : NEW / DE WITT'S PILLS / rising sun trade mark / Relieve the pain of Rheumatism / Backache, Fibrositis, Sciatica / DIRECTIONS ......../ R.C.De Witt & Co (Aust) Pty Ltd. / St. Kilda Melbournepharmacy, medicines, glassware, bottles, moorabbin, bentleigh, cheltenham, de witt company ltd, cheshire england, cb fleet group ltd, glass manufacturers

"James Doan was a doctor who lived in a town called Kingsville, in Canada, in North America. Sick people took journeys of many days to go to see him, and to get his medicine. He was a doctor who excelled in his neighborhood, because he prepared his medicine with his own hands, so he knew it was well prepared, and good. He used to make it with shrubs, and roots, and herbs, which he gathered in the woods and veld near his home. He made many kinds of medicine; but the most excellent is that which is called Doan’s Backache Kidney Pills." (info. from raycityhistory website)This magazine reflects the popularity of over the counter remedial medications in the early 20th century.A small magazine advertising medicines. It is titled, "Doan's Birthday Book". On the front cover is an illustration of an older lady, a cat on her lap and holding a walking stick, reading to two young girls.doan's-medications medicine

This bottle was found in the pine plantation in Orbost. De Witt’s Kidney and Bladder Pills were intended to ease backache, aches and pains in the muscles, and kidney problems. They are typical of a huge range of treatments that were available ‘over the counter’ at pharmacists for many years.This item reflects the changes and development in public health and medicine over the last century.An empty rectangular clear glass bottle that contained De Witts Pills. On bottom - DE WITTde-witt bottle medical health

This bottle was found in the pine plantation in Orbost. Comstock’s Morses Indian Root Pills were first manufactured by the American firm in the mid-1850’s but their popularity peaked in Australia in the 1920’s. Indian root is likely Wahoo (Euonymus atropurpureus), a common herb in Native American medicine used as a laxative. One of the most popular patent medicines, Dr. Morse’s Indian Root Pills was almost identical to the hundreds of other cure-alls, or at least claimed to cure the most common ailments of the day. It was advertised as a specific cure for most blood, stomach and liver diseases. The manufacturers claimed that the pills would "absolutely remove all dyspepsia, giddiness, headache, and are most useful in female disorders." (ref. Hagley Museum)This item is an example of a commonly used 'over-the-counter" medicine.A rectangular, brown glass bottle with neck for cork sealing.Morses Indian Root Pills Dose 2 to 4. W. H. Comstockmorses -indian-root-pills bottle medicine health

Australia was not self sufficient in glass making until the turn of the 20th century and many bottles were made overseas and shipped to Australia with their contents and when emptied were re-filled with other company’s products. This medicine bottle was filled with a mixture made by the chemist. This item reflects the changes and development in over-the-counter-medicine over the last century.A clear rectangular bottle with a screw top black plastic lid. It is labelled "peppermint and ginger mixture" on paper label. There is a patent number inside the lid.label : "The Mixture Dose one tablespoonful Shake The Bottle Peppermint and Ginger Mixture" Phone MF 1691 On base: F1837 Inside a capital A is S above the letter M. Mbottle pepper-ginger medicine