Historical information
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.
Significance
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.
