Title
Magmoid Sulf-Alka-Lac (Pitman-Moore Co.)
Author
N/A (Pharmaceutical product, not a publication)
Image
Description
This striking cobalt blue glass bottle once held Magmoid Sulf-Alka-Lac, an antacid compound manufactured by the Pitman-Moore Company of Indianapolis. It is a 12-fluid-ounce veterinary preparation formerly known as Magmoid Sulfalao and includes magnesium and sodium salts intended to buffer excess gastric acidity. The label is still intact, bearing the words “Shake well before using. Store in moderately warm place.”
The bottle features bold 20th-century typography and a heavy cobalt coloration typical of medicine and chemical bottles used from the 1920s–1950s. The handwritten “ANDP” on the label suggests it was used in a veterinary or institutional setting.
Condition
The bottle is in good vintage condition with surface wear, internal residue, and label aging consistent with long-term storage. The original cap is present. Some cloudiness and scuffing are visible on the glass.
Gallery
Historical context
- The Pitman-Moore Company was founded in the early 20th century and specialized in pharmaceuticals for both human and veterinary use. Based in Indianapolis, it played a significant role in supplying products to veterinarians nationwide until it was absorbed by Dow Chemical in the 1960s.
Cobalt glass was commonly used for light-sensitive compounds and offered a practical and visual appeal—often reused or kept long after its contents were gone.
Curious Facts, Ephemera, and Trivia
“Sulf-Alka-Lac” is a mashup of “sulfa,” “alkaline,” and “lactate”—a reflection of the mid-century obsession with scientific-sounding names.
Many vintage veterinary products contained overlapping ingredients with human remedies.
Pitman-Moore’s facilities eventually transitioned into producing vaccines.
Excerpt
“Each fluid ounce contains: Magnesium hydroxide… Sodium bicarbonate… Sodium citrate… Sufficient flavoring and preservatives to maintain palatability and stability.”
Why it is in the Cabinet
This cobalt bottle is a visually arresting survivor of America’s mid-century veterinary pharmacopoeia. It reflects the blend of science, marketing, and chemistry that characterized both human and animal medicine of the era—and comes from an Indiana company with roots not far from home.
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