Images(4)

C.J Cahill Pharmacy medicine bottle

Datec 1926

Object number00005902

NameBottle

MediumGlass, paper, liquid

DimensionsOverall: 90 x 34 x 30 mm, 0.1 kg

ClassificationsTools and equipment

Credit LineANMM Collection

Collections

For sickness and health - medicine in the collection

Terms

DescriptionA medicine bottle from the medicine chest used in the Australian coastal staemer BURRUMBEET. There is a partial label still attached from the Tamworth pharmacy of C.J Cahill that outlies the correct dosage. It is likely, with only the partial label available, that this bottle originally contained a volatile tincture or alkali which needed you be diluted before use. HistoryThe bottle is part of a chest that reflects the changing role of officers who served in the Merchant Marine during the mid to late 19th century. There was no requirement for a surgeon to be onboard, so commissioned officers were responsible for performing minor medical tasks. In the case of the BURRUMBEET, the pharmaceuticals were weighed and administered by the Chief Engineer, the original owner of the chest. The BURRUMBEET, a Huddart-Parker steamer, served on the east coast of Australia between 1884-1915. The BURRUMBEET worked the New South Wales coal run until 1889 when it inaugurated the Melbourne/Launceston sheep trade with its sister ship the ELINGAMITE. SignificanceThe BURRUMBEET apothecary's chest and its contents are rare in that the provenance can be attributed to an Australian steamer and one of its officers.