Ship's Medicine Chest

Description:

Starting in 1790, American merchant ships larger than 150 tons and with more than 10 crew members were required to have medicine chests with contents assembled by an “apothecary of known reputation.” These had to be accompanied by instructions for the administration of each medicine. Most commonly, either the captain or first mate administered pharmaceutical products to any crew in need.

This example has labels from the ports of Baltimore, Maryland; Mamaroneck, New York, and Halifax, Nova Scotia, indicating it was replenished more than once over its useful life.

Date Made: 19th Century

Maker: Gray Telephone Pay Station Co.

Ship Docked At Port: United States: New York, MamaroneckCanada: Nova Scotian, HalifaxUnited States: Maryland, Baltimore

Related Event: Expansion and Reform

Subject:

See more items in: Medicine and Science: Pharmacy, Health & Medicine, Cultures & Communities, Work, Industry & Manufacturing, Natural Resources, Transportation

Exhibition: On the Water

Exhibition Location: National Museum of American History

Credit Line: Gift of The Medical and Chirurgical Faculty of the State of Maryland

Data Source: National Museum of American History

Id Number: MG.302606.154Catalog Number: 302606.154Accession Number: 302606

Object Name: drug chestMedicine Chest

Physical Description: wood (overall material)metal (overall material)glass (overall material)Measurements: overall: 46.7 cm x 37 cm x 18.7 cm; 18 3/8 in x 14 9/16 in x 7 3/8 in

Guid: http://n2t.net/ark:/65665/ng49ca746a5-20d3-704b-e053-15f76fa0b4fa

Record Id: nmah_1278430

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