University Health Network - Academy of Medicine Collection
Category
Pharmacy and Drug Artifacts
Military Medicine
Classification
Pharmacy, Gastrointestinal
Military Medicine
Accession Number
1982.13.5
Description
A cylindrical brown glass bottle with rounded shoulders and a wide neck, black metal screw-on top; paper label with instructions; contains pink capsules.
A cylindrical brown glass bottle with rounded shoulders and a wide neck, black metal screw-on top; paper label with instructions; contains pink capsules.
Number Of Parts
1
Provenance
Acquired from the Academy of Medicine; source: Dr. J.W. Scott.
Maker
Royal Canadian Navy Medical Research Unit, University of Toronto
Printed on paper label: 100 CAPSULES // ROYAL CANADIAN NAVY // SEASICKNESS REMEDY // DOSE:- One capsule. Taken one to two hours before its // effect is desired. // NOTE:-The capsules are most effective when taken for // the prevention rather than the cure of seasickness. Best // results are obtained when the first capsule is taken an // hour or two before its effect is desired. This dose should // prevent seasickness for about eight hours. // The remedy is also effective after the onset of seasick- // ness, reducing its duration and severity. // CAUTION: - The dose of one capsule may be repeated at // eight hour intervals. More than two doses of one capsule // each should only be given under medical supervision. // Prepared by // R. C. N. MEDICAL RESEARCH UNIT // UNIVERSITY OF TORONTO
Permanent Location
Storage Room 0010
0010-A5-4 Box 1 Row B
Dimension Notes
Length 10.5 cm x Diam. 5.0 cm
Copy Type
Original
Reference Comments
"History of the Associate Committee on Naval Medical Research, 1941-1945," held by Library and Archives Canada, call number D810 S2 H57 1948 fol.
Research Facts
Contains hyocine with nicotinic acid of the B Vitamin Complex.
This remedy was developed by the Subcommittee on Seasickness of the Canadian National Research Council. It was the product of research aimed in part at preventing seasickness in soldiers, particularly in preparation for the D-Day landings in 1944.
The “R. C. N. Seasickness Remedy” was the name given to this mixture of hyoscine, hyoscyamine, and niacin. though it was later found that niacin did not “appreciably” contribute to the effectiveness. A thiobarbiturate would later be added in an attempt to improve the efficacy of the remedy. Despite progress made in the understanding and treatment of motion sickness, the remedy was not as effective as hoped, and the researchers recommended similar combinations of chemical compounds for further trial.
A key element of this remedy, hyoscine, also known as scopolamine, is still used today as a means of treating motion sickness, particularly in the form of transdermal patches.
This research is the basis that developed Gravol and Dramamine for similar illness.