Historical information

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)

Significance

This item is an example of a commonly used 'over-the-counter" medicine.

Physical description

A rectangular, brown glass bottle with neck for cork sealing.

Inscriptions & markings

Morses Indian Root Pills
Dose 2 to 4. W. H. Comstock