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.

Ipecacuanha, or ipecac, is an exotic medicinal that has been around since the 18th century. It contains an extract made by soaking the root of a Brazilian shrub in water or alcohol, which is then added to medicinal wines or syrups.

In 1846 chemist Theron T. Pond extracted a healing ‘tea’ from the bark of witch hazel for use as a topical salve for wounds and purported remedy for numerous other ailments. Pond was among the first to create a commercial product from witch hazel; it became known as Pond's Extract.

Ellen Gartrell, Duke University


Ipecacuanha, or ipecac – the name of the plant is the Portuguese form of the native word, i-pe-kaa-guéne, which is said to mean 'road-side sick-making plant'.