Historical information

Augustus Mueller was a medical practitioner in Yackandandah and District who was convinced of the efficacy of strychnine as an antidote for snakebite. He believed that small doses of strychnine would stimulate the nervous system while being insufficient to cause the death of the patient by poisoning.
The patent for his antidote was granted on May 10th 1891. His treatment gained some acceptance in the general community but was widely condemned in the medical profession. Dr Mueller investigated treatments for typhoid following a local outbreak in Beechworth, Victoria. He also received several prizes for his work as a vigneron.
Dr Mueller died in Yackandandah, Victoria on 31st December 1898.

The instructions included the following information:-
"Inject now only half a syringe full, or, if the patient objects to the needle, let him take ten drops of the antidote in a little cold water every half-hour, until he or she feels a little stiffness about the jaws, slight pain in the back of the neck, and jerking of arms and legs on moving them. These are the effects of the antidote. They are quite harmless, and must be produced to ensure the safety of the patient".

Significance

This item is significant because it was

Physical description

A leather case embossed with gold embossed writing. It contains items as part of a snake bite kit and detailed instructions for its use.

Inscriptions & markings

On lid
DR. MUELLER'S
ANTIDOTE FOR SNAKE BITE
WITH HYPODERMIC SYRINGE & DIRECTIONS FOR USE.
PREPARED BY
M. S. ROME
YACKANDANDAH.