Embossed on the side of the bottle: “GERM BACTERIA OR FUNGUS DESTROYER // WM RADAM’S // MICROBE KILLER // REGISTERED TRADE-MARK DEC 13 1887 // CURES ALL DISEASES”
Permanent Location
Storage Room 0010
0010-A3-1 Row B
Length
25.7
Width
8.3
Depth
8.3
Unit Of Measure
centimeters
Condition Remarks
Minor scratches over embossed side; minor chip on exterior lip
Copy Type
original
Reference Types
Internet
Reference Comments
From Texas – Wm. Radam’s Microbe Killer, Peachridge Glass
The 1886 patent revealed that Radam manufactured Microbe Killer by mixing powdered sulphur, sodium nitrate, manganese oxide, sandalwood, and potassium chloride then burning the mixture in an oven. The vapours mixed with the vapour from the water located in a closed tank in which the oven sat. After the treated water was allowed to condense and then was filtered to remove any sediment, a tiny amount of wine was added to give the Microbe Killer a light pink tint.
The Microbe Killer was so successful because it made its debut just as the link between microbes and disease was first being documented. As science would eventually demonstrate, the Microbe Killer was absolutely useless.
Exhibit History
On exhibit “Quack: The Exhibit that cures all” at Museum of Health Care, 29 June 2017.