Prescribing Doctor – A.C. Deane, MD
Patient Name
Pharmacy
Date – June 8, 1891
Location
Ingredients/Dosage –
Strychnine gr. I
Sugar of Milk ℨ i
Divide into powders
Take one powder three times daily.
Note: The line “Divide into powders” likely instructed the pharmacist to prepare the mixture in individually portioned powder packets, a standard dosing method of the era for potent compounds like strychnine.
Historical Context & Commentary
Though the dosage appears to list a full grain of strychnine, it was almost certainly a fraction (e.g., 1/60th or 1/100th of a grain), as even small amounts of strychnine are dangerously toxic. Sugar of milk served as a bulking agent. This prescription—dated 1891—reflects common practices of the time, where potent alkaloids were dispensed routinely, often in doses modern toxicology would never permit.
Strychnine is a highly toxic alkaloid that was historically used in minuscule doses as a stimulant or tonic. While it appeared in 19th-century pharmacopoeias, even slight overdoses could cause severe convulsions or death. Its use has long been discontinued in modern medicine due to its narrow therapeutic window and high risk. This prescription is preserved for historical and educational purposes only and does not reflect current medical standards or safe practice.
Support Dr. Bebout’s Cabinet of Medical Curiosities
If you enjoy the history, the oddities, and the effort, help keep this cabinet open. Every little bit helps preserve and share the strange wonders of medicine's past.
Buy Me a Ko-fi ☕ Buy Me a Coffee ☕ Tip via PayPal 💵