Title
Glovarian Pills
Author
Schieffelin & Co., New York
Glycerin Ovarian Extract, Estrogenic Material (Estrone), circa 1930s–1940s
Image
Description
This boxed and bottled pharmaceutical product, labeled Glovarian Pills, was produced by Schieffelin & Co., a prominent New York-based drug manufacturer established in 1794. The package contains 36 pills formulated with glycerin ovarian extract and estrogenic material, standardized to 500 International Units of estrone per dose.
The bottle label instructs, “For usage see brochure,” and cautions that the pills are “to be used only by or on the prescription of a physician.” Dosage recommendations on the box advise one to three pills daily.
Condition
The outer box is lightly worn with some fraying at the edges. The bottle is intact with a readable label, original red metal cap, and clear embossing. One intact gelatin capsule remains visible.
Gallery
Historical context
During the early-to-mid 20th century, organotherapy—the practice of using animal glandular extracts to treat human conditions—was a widely accepted therapeutic approach, especially in gynecology and endocrinology. Ovarian extract, often derived from pigs or cows, was believed to help with symptoms associated with menopause, amenorrhea, and “female weakness.”
Estrone, one of the three primary estrogens, was among the earliest hormones to be isolated and standardized for medical use. These pills represent a transitionary moment in medical history, bridging crude glandular preparations and more refined hormone replacement therapies that followed the discovery of synthetic estrogens.
Curious Facts, Ephemera, and Trivia
The term “Glovarian” likely combines “glandular” and “ovarian” to evoke clinical credibility.
Schieffelin & Co. was one of the oldest pharmaceutical firms in the U.S., predating even the formation of the FDA.
These pills were likely derived from porcine or bovine ovaries and chemically treated to extract and preserve hormonal compounds.
Excerpt
Front of bottle:
“Glycerin Ovarian Extract 10 min. and estrogenic material equivalent to 500 International Units of standard estrone.”Box panel:
“Dosage: One to three pills daily.”
Why it is in the Cabinet
Glovarian Pills offer a compelling example of early endocrine therapy—a blend of empirical experimentation and commercial pharmaceutical production before the advent of modern regulatory standards. This item illustrates both the hope and hazard of hormone-based treatments in a pre-FDA era when treatments for “female troubles” were often poorly understood, yet aggressively marketed.
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