Title
Tincture No. 24: Catechu Compound
Author
Manufacturer: Eli Lilly & Co., Indianapolis, USA
Image
Description
This original vintage pharmaceutical bottle from Eli Lilly contains a liquid tincture of catechu compound, labeled as “Tincture No. 24.” With a 50% alcohol content, this preparation was designed for internal use and instructed doses ranging from 1 to 3 fluid drams (4 to 12 cc). Catechu, a plant-derived astringent made from the extract of the Acacia catechu tree, was traditionally used to treat diarrhea, mouth ulcers, and inflammation of mucous membranes.
Condition
Label is fully intact and legible. Glass bottle is unchipped with clean seams. Metal screw cap shows some wear and oxidation. Liquid contents have partially evaporated, but original residue remains. Excellent visual condition for display.
Gallery
Historical context
Eli Lilly was one of the most prominent pharmaceutical companies of the 20th century, known for its extensive and numerically cataloged line of tinctures and compounds. Tincture No. 24 likely dates to the 1930s–1950s, when plant-based astringents like catechu were common in both over-the-counter and prescriptive medicine. Such preparations were standard for gastrointestinal upset, especially before synthetic anti-diarrheals were developed.
Catechu itself was a staple in Materia Medica texts, and its use goes back to ancient Ayurvedic medicine. It was often used in combination formulas for mouthwashes, lozenges, and gastrointestinal tonics.
Curious Facts, Ephemera, and Trivia
Catechu was sometimes used in early toothpaste formulations for its mild antibacterial and astringent properties.
The label uses both fluid drams and cubic centimeters, showing the transitional phase between apothecary and metric systems in U.S. medical dosing.
The serial number (3061-969859) and Lilly’s stylized logo help date this to the mid-20th century when such internal cataloging was standard.
Excerpt
Dose: 1 to 3 fluid drams (4 to 12 cc).
Contains Alcohol 50 Percent — From front label
Why it is in the Cabinet
This bottle is a pristine example of mid-century pharmaceutical packaging from one of America’s most iconic drug manufacturers. Its preserved label, visible measurement units, and connection to botanical medicine make it a standout example of how natural remedies, alcohol-based formulations, and brand trust converged in 20th-century American pharmacies.
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