I was walking in Georgetown yesterday when I almost passed an old pharmacy that was closing its doors for good. They were selling everything, from the beautiful 19th century cabinetry to the entire inventory, some of which dated back that long as well. Alas, I could not purchase the cabinetry, but the ancient little pharmacist was willing to part with some of the inocuous treasures after a lot of charming and pleading. I also pinched a few things that he wouldn't sell, which I'm okay with because he was planning on destroying them anyway:
- Hemlock, the notorious poison that Socrates was forced to drink
- Novocaine, the delightful friend of fangs
- Strychnine, the terrible foe of rats and spines
-Pennyroyal, what stops them that grows inside you
As well, I purchased some strange, and in some cases likely quackish medicines. Dr. Kilmer's Swamp Root for the kidneys. 666 Brand cold remedy, and an herbal tonic with such incredients as False Unicorn (used for, among other things, inducing menstruation.) He threw in a copy of the American Drug Index from 1972 as well. I have taken some photographs but they are not as good as they should be since they were done using my low quality cameraphone (retouched with Photoshop so they're slightly more bearable.)
There was so much more that I wanted but he was very nervous about certain drugs (I don't think he realized the bottles I purchased still had things in them.) For example, I almost got a hold of a beautiful old bottle full of morphine! It's not that I want to use these drugs; it's just that I find their history and notoriety fascinating.
- Hemlock, the notorious poison that Socrates was forced to drink
- Novocaine, the delightful friend of fangs
- Strychnine, the terrible foe of rats and spines
-Pennyroyal, what stops them that grows inside you
As well, I purchased some strange, and in some cases likely quackish medicines. Dr. Kilmer's Swamp Root for the kidneys. 666 Brand cold remedy, and an herbal tonic with such incredients as False Unicorn (used for, among other things, inducing menstruation.) He threw in a copy of the American Drug Index from 1972 as well. I have taken some photographs but they are not as good as they should be since they were done using my low quality cameraphone (retouched with Photoshop so they're slightly more bearable.)
There was so much more that I wanted but he was very nervous about certain drugs (I don't think he realized the bottles I purchased still had things in them.) For example, I almost got a hold of a beautiful old bottle full of morphine! It's not that I want to use these drugs; it's just that I find their history and notoriety fascinating.
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ma2:
That's fascinating. Years ago a friend of mine used to make a decent living going to second hand stores and antique shops, mainly in small towns, looking for things discarded. I keep thinking those days are gone (what with eBay, etc...). Maybe they're not. I meant to comment on your last entry. I really like both of the photographs. I used to mark the new year in lavish style so I can appreciate champagne on a winter beach. How has 2008 been treating you thus far?
cjomg:
Damn. You must now have the most kickass medicine cabinet in the land! Nice work.