Curio

State Library of New South Wales
Travelling medicine chest belonging to the Macquarie family, c. 1820

Travelling medicine chest belonging to the Macquarie family, c. 1820

R 2129
Mahogany medicine chest with crushed velvet lining and brass fittings filled with glass apothecary bottles

This medicine chest is an example of nineteenth century campaign furniture, which was used by gentlemen travellers and army officers. This form of portable furniture meant that the men did not have to leave their home comforts behind as they travelled or marched across continents. It is hard to ascertain for certain whether this medical chest belonged to Lachlan Macquarie senior – who died in 1824 – or Lachlan Macquarie junior. It may have been passed down from father to son.

Contents of the apothecary bottles

There are five apothecary bottles in the first row, three bottles in the second row and three in the third row. The bottles from left to right, front to back, have manuscript and printed labels:

  • Camphor Pilules
  • Friar's Balsam
  • Un-labelled empty bottle
  • Olive Oil
  • Glycerine
  • Ammoniated Tincture of Quinine (British Pharmacopoeia) Army & Navy Co-operative Society Ltd. (logo with an army and naval officer shaking hands)
  • Sal Volatile (smelling salts containing ammonium carbonate)
  • Un-labelled empty bottle
  • Pond's Extract, with printed label underneath: Oil Eucalyptus Globulus
  • Un-labelled bottle with powder residue
  • Camphorated Oil
  • Un-labelled empty bottle
  • Tincture of Iodine External Use
  • Bicarbonate of Soda
  • Ipecacuanha Wine