Bottle of Ipecacuanaha Powder prepared by A.W. Richardson, Chemist and Druggist, Mount Barker
Datec 1880
Object number00006102
NameBottle
MediumPaper, glass, organic powder (dried ipecacuanaha root)
DimensionsOverall: 94 x 34 x 34mm, 0.05 kg
ClassificationsTools and equipment
Credit LineANMM Collection
DescriptionA bottle of ipecacuanaha powder (Cephaelis ipecacuanha) prepared by A.W. Richardson, a chemist and druggist from Mount Barker in South Australia. Ipecacuanha was traditionally used as an emetic, a vomit inducing powder or syrup for emptying the stomach in cases of poisoning.HistoryAdam Watson Richardson, born in Dunbar Scotland in 1826 and died in Mount Barker in 1894 was a chemist who carried on a business in Gawler Street, Mount Barker until he died on April 6 1894. Richardson had two brothers, both of whom were also chemists.
Ipecacuanha is the dried root of Cephaelis ipecacuanha, a plant from Brazil and became popular in Europe in the late 1600's and onwards as a treatment for dysentery and bronchitis. Combined with opium it was the basis of Dover's Powder, developed by Thomas Dover and used as a treatment for fevers and was still popular into the C20.SignificanceThis bottle of powder became part of a pharmaceutical chest orginally bought out from England in the mid C19.
