Small cylindrical white plastic smallpox vaccine tube (a) with cylindrical black metal screw cap (b) containing one small transparent cylindrical glass vial of yellow glycerinated smallpox vaccine (c), one small transparent cylindrical glass vial containing grey metal scarification needle (d) and s…
Small cylindrical white plastic smallpox vaccine tube (a) with cylindrical black metal screw cap (b) containing one small transparent cylindrical glass vial of yellow glycerinated smallpox vaccine (c), one small transparent cylindrical glass vial containing grey metal scarification needle (d) and small pyriform black rubber bulb (e); tube has circular push up at base with manufacturer information embossed, product information printed on sides in black ink, and cylindrical finish with external continuous thread; cap has flat top, vertical indents in sides, rolled bottom edge, and brass coloured interior with circular white paper insert at top; both vials are thin and have round ends; bulb is hollow with circular hole at both ends.
Number Of Parts
5
Part Names
a – tube – Length 8.6 cm Diameter 1.4 cm
b – cap – Length 0.8 cm Diameter 1.6 cm
c – vaccine – Length 6.4 cm Diameter 0.1 cm
d – needle – Length 6.4 cm Diameter 0.2 cm
e – bulb – Length 1.2 cm Diameter 0.8 cm
Provenance
Belonged to donor, found at estate yard sale; previous owner was a nurse.
Based on expiration date printed on container tube
Material
plastic: white
metal: black, brass, grey
paper: white
glass: clear
rubber: black
ink: black
Inscriptions
Printed on exterior of tube: “SMALLPOX VACCINE (GLYCERINATED) // Freon Purified // STORE BELOW 5ºC (41ºF.) // Directions for use: See enclosed leaflet // Can. Lic. No. 3 Code: PEACH Pres: Phenol 0.4% // CONNAUGHT LABORATORIES LIMITED // Willowdale Toronto, Canada // LOT 796-15 // EXP. DATE: APR 25 79 // DIN 075027 // 1 TUBE // 1 TUBE”; embossed on base of tube: “LERMER // GARWOOD, N. J.”
Permanent Location
Storage Room 0010
0010-A3-7
Unit Of Measure
centimeters
Condition Remarks
Minor abrasion near top edge of cap; minor scratching all over exterior of tube
Copy Type
original
Reference Types
Article (online)
Website
Reference Comments
Rutty, Christopher J. “Origins: From the Connaught Fund & Back to Connaught Laboratories.” Connaught Fund, The Connaught Fund at the University of Toronto, 2019. Accessed 3 August 2019.
Tesini, Brenda L. “Smallpox.” Merck Manual, Merck Sharp & Dohme Corp, 2019. Accessed 3 August 2019.
Research Facts
Smallpox was a highly infectious disease with an extremely high mortality rate; it was caused by the variola virus and spread through the air from person to person; symptoms included severe abdominal pain, fever, and rash; the smallpox vaccine was developed in 1796 by Edward Jenner and is considered the first vaccine ever developed; smallpox is considered eradicated and no cases have been reported since 1977.
Connaught Laboratories was established in 1914 at the University of Toronto as the Antitoxin Laboratory in the Department of Hygiene; it was established in part due to increased awareness and agency in treatment and prevention of infectious diseases within the public health context of Canadian society; Dr. John Gerald FitzGerald was the driving force behind the establishment of the laboratory which initially focused on producing diphtheria antitoxin; Connaught Laboratories maintained a non-commercial mandate for much of the twentieth century and expanded significantly following the discovery of insulin and through combating the spread of infectious diseases during and after the World Wars; Connaught Laboratories was an industry leader in the production of a variety of vaccines including typhus, smallpox, and polio, as well as other medical products including penicillin and insulin; eventually became privately owned in 1986 under the Mulroney government.