Printed on top of container: “PHYSICIAN SAMPLE // 5 Gr. // ANTIKAMNIA & CODEINE // TABLETS // 4 ¾ Gr ANTIKAMNIA. ¼ Gr SULPH CODEINE // REGISTERED SEPT 3 1890 // MANUFACTURED IN THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA // BY THE ANTIKAMNIA CHEMICAL CO. // ST. LOUIS. MO,. U.S.A. // British Depot: 46 Kalborn Viaduct, London E.C” directions printed on bottom
Permanent Location
Storage Room 0010
0010-A2-4 Row E
Length
4.4
Width
3.5
Depth
0.5
Unit Of Measure
centimeters
Condition Remarks
Minor chiping of paint off of container; does not open; can hear something inside.
Copy Type
original
Reference Types
Internet
Reference Comments
Anitikamnian Chemical Company. Window Through Time
The Deadly Pain Medicine Sold by Skeletons. Bess Lovejoy
Research Facts
Antikamnia varied over time, its principal ingredient was always acetanilide, a coal tar derivative. Acetanilide had the unfortunate side effect of producing cyanosis, meaning it turned extremities blue from a lack of oxygen. Deaths related to the ingredient were reported as early as 1891.
The medicine was never patented and wasn’t a prescription drug, the Anitikamnia Drug Company marketed the tablets aggressively through direct mailing and promotional products to doctors in the hope that they would be persuaded to recommend it to their patients.
The tablets were marketed to treat "La Grippe, Influenza and all Grippal Conditions, Pneumonia, Bronchitis, Deep Seated Coughs, Neuroses of the Larynx etc, etc”. It was also handy to be taken as a preventative before participating in sports or even going out shopping.
Half a century later Julius Axelrod discovered that what acetanilide produces when metabolised is paracetamol, we take this medication today and it is called Tylenol. So, Antikamnia may just have been effective as a pain-killer.
Exhibit History
On travelling exhibit ‘Unmasking Influenza’ / Spanish Flu Ottawa L-2019-3 30 April 2019-31 Dec 2022.