University Health Network - Academy of Medicine Collection
Category
Pharmacy
Pharmacy, General
Home Health Care
Classification
Pharmacy, General
Pharmacy
Home Health Care
Accession Number
1977.12.43 a-b
Description
Small rectangular tan cardboard box (b) with black text with clear glass rectangular bottle (a) with black metal screw on cap closure and cream paper label on one side; half full of dark liquid.
Small rectangular tan cardboard box (b) with black text with clear glass rectangular bottle (a) with black metal screw on cap closure and cream paper label on one side; half full of dark liquid.
Printed on box: "PERRY DAVIS' // PAINKILLER // ANTISEPTIC // HEALING // WARMING // TAKEN INTERNALLY // FOR // // Chills, Common Colds, Cramps // Colic, Diarrhoea. // Also for Common Coughs - when // mixed as directed. // APPLIED EXTERNALLY // As a Compress for // COMMON SORETHROAT, // SPASMODIC CROUP // AS AN APPLICATION // FOR // Sprains, Bruises, Chilblains, // Bites and Stings, Strained // Muscles, Rheumatic Pains, // Cuts, Scratches and other // Minor Injuries. // Adult Dose - 1 teaspoonful in water or // milk. Full directions enclosed. // No. 23847 – The Proprietary or Patent Medicine Act // SMALL SIZE. // DAVIS & LAWRENCE CO. // (CANADA) LIMITED MONTREAL"
Permanent Location
Storage Room 0010
0010-A2-7
Unit Of Measure
centimeters
Condition Remarks
Bottle in excellent condition; box shows wear
Copy Type
Original
Research Facts
Perry Davis’ Pain Killer, a combination of opium, alcohol, and other substances, was formulated in 1839 and marketed successfully worldwide within 4 decades as both an internal and external pain remedy. Perry Davis (1791–1862) was born in Dartmouth, Massachusetts. Perry Davis began to manufacture his Vegetable Painkiller in 1839. His son Edmund carried on the business after Perry's death in 1862; product available up until 1958.
Perry Davis' Vegetable Pain Killer is reported to have been given to both soldiers and horses during the American Civil War. Davis trademarked the name "Pain Killer" and was at last a financial success.
This product is said to be one of the first directed specifically at pain management, rather than a particular disease or ailment. It was distributed worldwide by missionaries, and was considered a wonder drug.
In 1955, Canada Packers bought the Canadian patent of Davis & Co., Davis & Lawrence for many years.
Exhibit History
On display, Queen's University Department of Medicine third floor, August 20, 2013.