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Image Not Available for Woman keep young! Take Womaton, a woman's tonic and you will look young and feel young
Woman keep young! Take Womaton, a woman's tonic and you will look young and feel young
Image Not Available for Woman keep young! Take Womaton, a woman's tonic and you will look young and feel young

Woman keep young! Take Womaton, a woman's tonic and you will look young and feel young

Manufacturer (Australian, 1908 - 1938)
Date1908-1938
Object number00054398
NamePamphlet
MediumPaper
DimensionsOverall: 233 × 152 mm
ClassificationsTools and equipment
Credit LineANMM Collection
DescriptionPamphlet for Womaton Tonic. The first page reads 'Woman keep young! A woman is only as old as she feels. Take Womaton - a woman's tonic - and you will look young and feel young. Womaton is a scientifically compounded tonic, containing the finest vegetable vegetable extracts in a highly concentrated form. Its success is unparalleled. Suffering women owe it to themselves to give Womaton a trial. It is a valuable tonic and sedative'. The last page of the pamphlet has an illustration of the Womaton package so that customers can recommend it to their friends, and that they get the original article, not 'some other line' suggested by their pharmacist. The pamphlet reminds the reader that Womaton 'is the only genuine woman's tonic sold in Australia'. Produced by Womaton Limited 524 Riley Street Sydney. Printed by Chamberlain Print, Sydney.HistoryTonics and tinctures were once a staple in medical chests and surgery cupboards across the globe. A mixture of plant extracts, alcohol and often other drugs, these concoctions promised the relief of a wide range of symptoms. One stop tonics such as 'Womaton', eager to address a range of issues, advertised themselves as being the solution to any number of complaints, often contradictory ones. Before modern restrictions, these tonics often include opium, laudanum, morphine or cocaine which, while effective at reliving pain, served as relaxants and gave the impression that the tonics were living up to their claims.SignificanceMedicine chests associated with immigrant ships to Australia, like this one, are exceedingly rare. Medicine chests of this period highlight the state of medical knowledge and Government regulations at the time. They were comprehensive and properly packed for the voyage by the Apothecaries Company, ensuring they had the best quality products.