Historical information

A mustard plaster is a poultice of mustard seed powder spread inside a protective dressing and applied to the body to stimulate healing. It can be used to warm muscle tissues and to treat chronic aches and pains. For long a part of conventional medical treatment, and available in prepared versions in pharmacies, it fell from favour in the 20th century, and is now only used as a home remedy.

Physical description

A paper packet that would have contained a cotton cloth impregnated with a mustard poultice used for the relief of pain in muscles.

Inscriptions & markings

on packet ; ONE / MUSTARD PLASTER / WET THOROUGHLY BEFORE APPLYING / S[READ ON / CLOTH / TRADE / JELCO / MARK / No. 127 - GUARANTEED BY / THE J-ELWOOD LEE CO. / UNDER THE FOOD AND / DRUGS ACT, JUNE 3J-ELWOOD LEE 0TH 1906 / MANUFACTURED BY / J-ELWOOD LEE CO. / MANUFACTURING CHEMISTS / CONCHOHOCKEN PA. U.S.A.