A hollow, rectangular glass bottle with broad sloped shoulders and a ring below a threaded neck; a concave bottom is fused on the body column; a paper label is adhered across the front side of the bottle, extending to the centres of the left and right sides; the metal screw cap has a rolled end and…
A hollow, rectangular glass bottle with broad sloped shoulders and a ring below a threaded neck; a concave bottom is fused on the body column; a paper label is adhered across the front side of the bottle, extending to the centres of the left and right sides; the metal screw cap has a rolled end and line grips around the top rim; the bottle is full of liquid (see accession sheet for sketch).
Conventional screw-top bottle became common after 1924
Material
glass: translucent dark brown
paper: yellow
metal: black
Inscriptions
The bottom of the bottle has raised marks that read "1 // 8 // 4"; there is a triangle in the centre and the number "73139" appears below the triangle; label: "DR. THOMAS' // ECLECTRIC // OIL"; "S N Thomas"; "Contains: Camphor 0.87% w/v // Oil of Thyme 0.01% w/v // 50 ml // FOR EXTERNAL USE ONLY // RÉSERVÉ À L'USAGE EXTERNE // G.P. No. 394114 // NORTHROP-McGILLVRAY // LIMITED // TORONTO CANADA // ESTABLISHED 1854"; lot number is stamped: "LOT NO 4762"; right side: "Dr. Thomas' Eclectric Oil is also known as Canadian Healing Oil in many // parts of the world. // Minor Burns — Apply quickly and freely and bind up. To avoid cracking, // keep the bandage moistened with the Oil. // Insect Bites, Stings, Chapped Hands, Muscular Pains, Minor Rheumatic // Pains, Neuralgia, Backache, Aching Joints, Bruises and Sprains // Apply liberally, working the Oil in well. // Coughs due to Colds, Bronchitis, False Croup and Simple Sort Throat // Apply the Oil freely to the neck and chest using prolonged gentle rubbing. Cover the chest with a soft cloth after treatment."; left side: right side repeated in French
Permanent Location
Storage Room 0010
0010-A5-5 Box 2 Row C
Dimension Notes
a - bottle - Size: Length 10.0 cm x Width 5.5 cm x Depth 3.0 cm
b - cap - Size: Depth 0.9 cm x Diam. 2.0 cm
Condition Remarks
Bottle has a white crystalline stain on the front side between cap and label, probably caused by the spilt contents of bottle; paper label has a round grey stain
Copy Type
Original
Reference Types
Book
Reference Comments
"Bottles: Identification and Price Guide," by Michael Polak, 1994, pp. 21, 24; "The Snake-Oil Syndrome: Patent Medicine Advertising," by A. Walker Bingham, 1994, pp. 43, 68,124, plate 59; "The Merck Index of Chemicals and Drugs," 7th ed., Merck & Co., 1960, pp. 200-201, 751; "The Illustrated Encyclopedia of Essential Oils," by Julia Laws, 1995, p. 228
Research Facts
Eclectric Oil has a wide variety of local application for inflammation. This drug's application is somewhat consistent with the traditional usage of its active ingredients, camphor and oil of thyme.
Thyme is a powerful disinfectant and antiseptic, so it also helps to fight off colds and infections. Great for all sorts of coughs but especially for dry coughs.