Oval white porcelain medicine spoon with decorative handle, flat bottom and curved edges; spoon bowl with decorated covered area with small opening at the tip and wider at the handle; small handle with a leaf decoration at its bottom to provide stability so the spoon will stand; spoon cover, handle…
Oval white porcelain medicine spoon with decorative handle, flat bottom and curved edges; spoon bowl with decorated covered area with small opening at the tip and wider at the handle; small handle with a leaf decoration at its bottom to provide stability so the spoon will stand; spoon cover, handle and top side edges are decorated with a Delft blue floral pattern known as an onion pattern; perimeter, handle and leaf edges lined with gold strip; bottom in unglazed.
Number Of Parts
1
Provenance
Owned by Pat Blair, whose father owned it before her.
Dates
1860
1900
circa 1860-1900
Material
porcelain: white
ink: blue, gold
Inscriptions
On base in blue: "T. // 22"
Permanent Location
Storage Room 0010
0010-D3-9
Length
7.9 cm
Width
3.7 cm
Depth
2.3 cm
Unit Of Measure
centimeters
Condition Remarks
There is a very small chip and two small cracks at the edge of the cover opposite to the handle; spoon shows minor wear in the gold decoration
Copy Type
Original
Reference Types
Person
Document
Research Facts
Spoon made to administer liquid medications to invalids and elderly.
Exhibit History
To display in Museum: Potions, Pills and Prescriptions; May 1, 2000 - 28 Jan 2017.
Transparent cylindrical glass bottle (a) with metal screw cap (b) and cork closure full of circular white pellets; tan paper label has name, logo and directions for use.
Transparent cylindrical glass bottle (a) with metal screw cap (b) and cork closure full of circular white pellets; tan paper label has name, logo and directions for use.
Number Of Parts
1
Provenance
Transferred from the Parks Canada Agency, via Gail Cariou of the Curatorial and Collections Branch.
Printed on label: "WHOOPING COUGH CURE // MUNYON'S // HOMEOPATHIC // HOME REMEDIES // Directions - Dissolve twenty pellets // in ten tablespoons of water, and // give a teaspoonful every fifteen min- // utes or half hour until relieved, then // every hour."; embossed on cap: "MUNYON'S // HOMEOPATHIC // REMEDIES"
Permanent Location
Storage Room 0010
0010-A4-6 Box 4 Row D
Dimension Notes
Length 6.2 cm x Diam. 1.6 cm
Condition Remarks
Cap with minor dent; part of label has piece of transparent glue adhered to its surface
Copy Type
Original
Reference Types
Internet
JPG
Reference Comments
James M. Munyon http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/James_M._Munyon; CD #6
Research Facts
Dr. James M. Munyon (1848 – 1918) was known for homeopathic patent medicines, some of which he promoted at his Hotel Hygeia on Munyon Island, named Hotel Hygeia after the Greek goddess of health and it catered to wealthy northerners who spent the winters in Palm Beach, Florida. The five-story hotel had twenty-one rooms and eight baths. The hotel burned to the ground in 1917. His first career was as a publisher, but he soon moved on to creating homeopathic medicines in the early 1890s. He employed a staff of chemists and physicians, one of them Dr. Hawley Harvey Crippen. Munyon was found guilty of fraud several times due to unsubstantiated claims for his medicines. Many of his medicines are said to have consisted mostly of sugar and alcohol. His most famous one was named "Dr. Munyon's Paw-Paw Elixir" and its main ingredient was fermented papaya juice. It was served at his resort, Hotel Hygeia, on Munyon Island. At the time his cures were highly regarded with the Philadelphia Times writing that "Professor Munyon is to medicine what Professor Edison is to electricity."
Oval white porcelain medicine spoon with decorative handle, flat bottom and curved edges; spoon bowl with plain covered area with small opening at the tip and wider at the handle; small handle with a leaf decoration at its bottom to provide stability so the spoon will stand; edges along spoon cover…
Oval white porcelain medicine spoon with decorative handle, flat bottom and curved edges; spoon bowl with plain covered area with small opening at the tip and wider at the handle; small handle with a leaf decoration at its bottom to provide stability so the spoon will stand; edges along spoon cover, handle, sides, openings are lined with gold strip; bottom is unglazed with handwritten lot number in brown ink.
Number Of Parts
1
Provenance
Collected by Maryanne Szuck and Alice Roeder.
Dates
1850
1900
circa 1850-1900
Date Remarks
Research
Material
ceramic: white
ink: gold, brown
Inscriptions
On bottom: "SC /20"
Permanent Location
Storage Room 0010
0010-A8-3
Length
7.9 cm
Width
3.8 cm
Height
2.8 cm
Unit Of Measure
centimeters
Condition Remarks
Minor crack on sppon cover; gold faded; wear on bottom
Copy Type
original
Reference Types
Documents
Book
eBook
Internet
Reference Comments
Allison, Eileen Michael. Ceramic Invalid Feeders, Pap Boats, and Baby Bottles of the 19th & Twentieth Century. Canada: E.M. Allison, 1997.
Bennion, Elisabeth. Antique Medical Instruments. London: Sotheby Parke Bernet Publications by Philip Wilsons Publications, 1979.
Campbell, Gordon. The Grove Encyclopedia of Decorative Arts. New York, NY: Oxford University Press, 2006. 2006. Accessed August 18, 2016. http://www.oxfordreference.com/view/10.1093/acref/9780195189483.001.0001/acref-9780195189483
Collected by Maryanne Szuck and sister Alice Roeder, a retired nurse. The collection consists of various eras and types of invalid / infant feeders, infant milk bottles, medicine spoons, urinals and reference material.
By the early 19th century medicinal spoons were becoming more accurate measuring devices. Normally made out of silver, or pewter these items usually had a cover and long spout for blowing the medicine through at the opposite end for administering medicine to the mentally unstable, elderly and invalids. By the mid 19th century, the design had evolved into small oval spoons, with a partial cover. The delicate handles normally had an elongated portion at the base to stabilize the spoon on flat surface. Initially produced in porcelain, these elaborately decorated spoons were then produced en masse in earthenware ceramic material and transfer pattern prints. This cheaper production cost meant this design was widely accessible and very popular for most social classes.
These were also used to feed infants or as a dose medicine.
Oval white porcelain medicine spoon with decorative handle, flat bottom and curved edges; spoon bowl and under oval edge with cobalt blue ink Delft blue floral pattern known as an onion pattern design; small opening at the tip and wider at the handle; small handle with a leaf decoration at its bott…
Oval white porcelain medicine spoon with decorative handle, flat bottom and curved edges; spoon bowl and under oval edge with cobalt blue ink Delft blue floral pattern known as an onion pattern design; small opening at the tip and wider at the handle; small handle with a leaf decoration at its bottom to provide stability so the spoon will stand; spoon cover, handle and top side edges are decorated with blue ink; perimeter, handle and leaf edges lined with gold strip; bottom in unglazed.
Number Of Parts
1
Provenance
Collected by Maryanne Szuck and Alice Roeder.
Dates
1850
1900
circa 1850-1900
Date Remarks
Research
Material
ceramic: white
ink: blue
Permanent Location
Storage Room 0010
0010-D1
Length
7.1 cm
Width
3.1 cm
Height
2.7 cm
Unit Of Measure
centimeters
Condition Remarks
2016: Handle repaired with glue in two spots, now discoloured, minor piece missing on handle by base where it was reattached
Copy Type
original
Reference Types
Documents
Book
eBook
Internet
Reference Comments
Allison, Eileen Michael. Ceramic Invalid Feeders, Pap Boats, and Baby Bottles of the 19th & Twentieth Century. Canada: E.M. Allison, 1997.
Bennion, Elisabeth. Antique Medical Instruments. London: Sotheby Parke Bernet Publications by Philip Wilsons Publications, 1979.
Campbell, Gordon. The Grove Encyclopedia of Decorative Arts. New York, NY: Oxford University Press, 2006. 2006. Accessed August 18, 2016. http://www.oxfordreference.com/view/10.1093/acref/9780195189483.001.0001/acref-9780195189483
Patelisova, Helena. "The Layers of a Blue Onion." 3NTA. April 25, 2015. Accessed August 19, 2016. http://www.3nta.com/the-layers-of-a-blue-onion/.
Donor file
Research Facts
Collected by Maryanne Szuck and sister Alice Roeder, a retired nurse. The collection consists of various eras and types of invalid / infant feeders, infant milk bottles, medicine spoons, urinals and reference material.
By the early 19th century medicinal spoons were becoming more accurate measuring devices. Normally made out of silver, or pewter these items usually had a cover and long spout for blowing the medicine through at the opposite end for administering medicine to the mentally unstable, elderly and invalids. By the mid 19th century, the design had evolved into small oval spoons, with a partial cover. Initially produced in porcelain, these elaborately decorated spoons were then produced en masse in earthenware ceramic material and transfer pattern prints. This cheaper production cost meant this design was widely accessible and very popular for most social classes.
The design, like other medical ceramic ware, was decorated in the popular Blue Onion or Strawflower designs in cobalt ink. These designs were so popular on all types ceramic and porcelain ware, that manufacturers produced transfer pattern outlines to reduce production time.
Oval white porcelain medicine spoon with decorative handle, flat bottom and curved edges; spoon bowl with decorated covered area with small opening at the tip and wider at the handle; small handle with a leaf decoration at its bottom to provide stability so the spoon will stand; handle has been pai…
Oval white porcelain medicine spoon with decorative handle, flat bottom and curved edges; spoon bowl with decorated covered area with small opening at the tip and wider at the handle; small handle with a leaf decoration at its bottom to provide stability so the spoon will stand; handle has been painted pale blue; spoon cover is decorated with orange flower design, consisting of two orange flowers, three leaves, and green decorative lines; perimeter, small opening at tip, and wider opening at the handle are lined with gold strip; bottom in unglazed.
Number Of Parts
1
Provenance
Collected by Maryanne Szuck and Alice Roeder.
Dates
1850
1900
circa 1850-1900
Date Remarks
Research
Material
ceramic: white, blue
ink: green, orange, brown, yellow
Permanent Location
Storage Room 0010
0010-D1
Length
8.7 cm
Width
4.0 cm
Height
3.0 cm
Unit Of Measure
centimeters
Condition Remarks
Shows wear on bottom
Copy Type
original
Reference Types
Documents
Book
eBook
Internet
Reference Comments
Allison, Eileen Michael. Ceramic Invalid Feeders, Pap Boats, and Baby Bottles of the 19th & Twentieth Century. Canada: E.M. Allison, 1997.
Bennion, Elisabeth. Antique Medical Instruments. London: Sotheby Parke Bernet Publications by Philip Wilsons Publications, 1979.
Campbell, Gordon. The Grove Encyclopedia of Decorative Arts. New York, NY: Oxford University Press, 2006. 2006. Accessed August 18, 2016. http://www.oxfordreference.com/view/10.1093/acref/9780195189483.001.0001/acref-9780195189483
Collected by Maryanne Szuck and sister Alice Roeder, a retired nurse. The collection consists of various eras and types of invalid / infant feeders, infant milk bottles, medicine spoons, urinals and reference material.
By the early 19th century medicinal spoons were becoming more accurate measuring devices. Normally made out of silver, or pewter these items usually had a cover and long spout for blowing the medicine through at the opposite end for administering medicine to the mentally unstable, elderly and invalids. By the mid 19th century, the design had evolved into small oval spoons, with a partial cover. The delicate handles normally had an elongated portion at the base to stabilize the spoon on flat surface. Initially produced in porcelain, these elaborately decorated spoons were then produced en masse in earthenware ceramic material and transfer pattern prints. This cheaper production cost meant this design was widely accessible and very popular for most social classes.
These were also used to feed infants or dose medicine.
Printed on label: "GELATINE-COATED PILL // Mercury Iodide, Yellow // JOHN WYETH & BROTHERS, INC. // PHILADELPHIA // Made in Canada"; embossed on bottom: "Wyeth 107".
Engraved on tin: "Wei De MEYERS // CATARRH // For CATARRH POLYPUS INFLUENZA"; between the first two words is a circle with "WEI DE MEYERS" around the upper half and "CATARRH CURE" around the lower half; "PRICE $1.00"; a trade mark is engraved on the face of the tin.
Permanent Location
Storage Room 0010
0010-A2-8 Row F
Dimension Notes
Length 8.2 cm x Width 5.2 x Depth 1.9 cm
Condition Remarks
Heavy rusting at the sides of the tin; plastic wrapping is also torn.
Engraved on tin: "Wei De MEYERS // CATARRH // For CATARRH POLYPUS INFLUENZA"; between the first two words is a circle with "WEI DE MEYERS" around the upper half and "CATARRH CURE" around the lower half; "PRICE $1.00"; a trade mark is engraved on the face of the tin and printed on the label.
Permanent Location
Storage Room 0010
0010-A2-8 Row F
Dimension Notes
Length 8.2 cm x Width 5.2 x Depth 1.9 cm
Condition Remarks
Heavy rusting at the sides of the tin; plastic wrapping is half missing.
University Health Network - Academy of Medicine Collection
Category
Pharmacy and Drug Artifacts
Classification
Pharmacy, Infectious Diseases
Accession Number
1980.18.298
Description
A small cylindrical glass bottle with tiny rounded shoulders and a neck almost the size of the body; closed with a sealed cork; paper label; full of dark capsules.
A small cylindrical glass bottle with tiny rounded shoulders and a neck almost the size of the body; closed with a sealed cork; paper label; full of dark capsules.
Number Of Parts
1
Provenance
Acquired from the Academy of Medicine; source: Mr. Dean Charters.
Printed on label: "CAPSULES OF // CYPRIDOL // (A 1% SOLUTION OF HgI2 IN OIL) // Dose: Two capsules to be taken daily // with meals, but in no case must the // dose exceed five capsules in a single day // except under the physician's instructions. // Vial 8 Rue Vivienne Paris // Huile Specifique Au Biiodure Codex No. 82"; from attached circular: "A 1% solution of bin-iodide of Mercury in an aseptic oil // An improved specific in the treatment of syphilis // Sold only on physicians' prescriptions and is only known to the medical profession."
University Health Network - Academy of Medicine Collection
Category
Pharmacy and Drug Artifacts
Classification
Pharmacy, Infectious Diseases
Accession Number
1980.18.299
Description
A small cylindrical glass bottle with tiny rounded shoulders and a neck almost the size of the body; closed with a sealed cork; paper label; full of dark capsules.
A small cylindrical glass bottle with tiny rounded shoulders and a neck almost the size of the body; closed with a sealed cork; paper label; full of dark capsules.
Number Of Parts
1
Provenance
Acquired from the Academy of Medicine; source: Mr. Dean Charters.
Dates
1880
1900
1880-1900
Material
glass: amber
cork: brown
paper: yellow; brown; green
organic matter: dark brown
Inscriptions
Printed on label: "CAPSULES OF // CYPRIDOL // (A 1% SOLUTION OF HgI2 IN OIL) // "HUILE SPECIFIQUE AU BIIODURE CODEX No. 82 // Dose: Two capsules to be taken daily // with meals, but in no case must the // dose exceed five capsules in a single day // except under the physician's instructions. // Vial, 8 Rue Vivienne Paris"; from attached circular: "A 1% solution of HgI2 in oil // Treatment of venereal diseases // Cypridol may be taken by mouth in capsule form or hypodermically // Cypridol capsules do not affect stomach or digestive organs // Cypridol capsules are sold in original bottles of 50 capsules of 20 centigrammes each."