One of the important features of the Victorian chemist was the
dispensing bench. In some chemists this doubled as the shop counter,
but more commonly it was hidden behind a large screen as is the case
in Steward's Chemist Shop. From here all medicines were prepared and
dispensed. This involved many different processes and required a lot
of different equipment many of which are shown in the picture below.
Click on any of the objects highlighted by your mouse cursor for more
information, or just scroll down the page and click on one of the
thumbnail images for a bigger picture. |
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Equal Arm Scales - During the 19th and early 20th centuries,
the equal arm scale was the most well used measuring system
in chemists. The Brass beam scales used to measure large quantities
of powders were not always accurate, so these smaller equal
arm scales were used for accurate small measurements. Weights
shaped like coins were stored in the front draw, these measured
drachms, which was the standard measurement for powders. |
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Pill Making Machine - Originally a pill tile was used
to make pills; it had graduated markings against which the size
of the pill was measured. The pill machine was a great improvement
as it could form equal sized portions of medicine automatically.
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invented in Germany and popularised in France, where many young
chemists went to train, including Mr John Alfred Steward. Powder
was moistened and mixed together to form a paste. This paste
was rolled into a cylinder shape which was then cut into the
number of pills required by the grooved top piece. |
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Pill Spatula - Once the ingredients which formed pills
had been mixed, pill spatulas were used to divide the length
into smaller amounts which could then be formed into individual
pills. |
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Graduated Medicine Spoon -Once medicines were no longer
ordered in single doses, medicine spoons such as this graduated
one became necessary. This is made of porcelain and is marked
with the measurements tea, dessert and table spoon. They were
available for sale as well as used by the chemist himself. |
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Pill Rounder - This was used to make the pill which came
out of the pill machine spherical. The pills were roughly rounded
between the thumb and finger and then swirled around in the
pill rounder to finish the process. |
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Brass Folder - Prior to the invention of tablets, many
medicines were supplied as powders and this practise continued
well into the 20th century. To pack these neatly, the pharmacist
used a brass folder. This enabled the pharmacist to make folds
in the paper the exact length required to hold the powder. The
neatness of the presentation of the medication was paramount,
especially in the 19th century. |
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Pill Silverer - This was used to finish the pills with
a silver or gold coating. Gold or silver leaf was used to line
the inside. Pills which had been moistened with liquid gum were
placed inside and then rolled around until the pill was coated.
These silvered pills were very expensive and were reserved for
wealthier customers. |
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Pill Containers - were dispensed in pill boxes. In Steward's
Chemist Shop, red boxes were used; however, special black and
white boxes were used for wealthy clients. |
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Cork Press - Corks were used until the 1930's to seal
bottles. The cork press was used to soften the end of the cork
so that it fitted the mouth of the bottle. Very often customers,
in an attempt to reduce cost, would bring in their own bottles
to be decanted. These then needed to be sealed with a cork before
they took them away. |
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Shop Rrounds - While most dry drugs were kept in drawers
around the shop, smaller quantities were kept in glass bottles
known as shop rounds (so called because they were round in section
with wide necks). These were usually kept on shelves around
the counters however here two large shop rounds are shown behind
the dispensing counter, where they would have been kept while
in use by the chemist.
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Bell Metal Mortar and Pestle - Bell metal is an alloy
of copper and tin, it is easily melted and cast into shape.
The mortar is almost the shape of an inverted bell and if it
is good quality it should produce a good ringing tone hence
the name. However the problem with metal mortars is the risk
of chemicals reacting with the metal. This problem led to the
development of the composition mortar. |
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Composition Mortar and Pestle - Mortars and Pestles were
used for reducing lumpy or crystalline solids and dried herbs
to a fine powder. This mortar and pestle is called a composition
mortar and was designed by Josiah Wedgwood from material called
'biscuit porcelain' in about 1780. |
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Infusion Pot - Many medicines which were prescribed required
infusions of ingredients such as bitter orange, cloves or senna.
Originally the ingredients were left soaking in hot water and
then drained. Later it was discovered that it was more effective
if the ingredients were suspended near the surface of the water,
as that way more of the drugs were extracted, this discovery
led to the development of the infusion pot. |
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Nelson's Inhaler - During the 19th century, bronchitis
kettles and inhalers were common stock in chemists and were
used to relieve the very common chest complaints which were
caused by poor air quality in the cities.
Nelson's Inhaler was introduced in the 19th century and was
commonly used until the mid 20th century. Aromatics such as
menthol were mixed with hot water and inhaled through the glass
spout, which contained a small piece of sponge |
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History of Steward's Chemist Shop 
