Page 2 - Pharmacy History 29 Nov 2006

The Rags: an unmentionable history
A new website The Rags: paraphernalia of menstruation www.powerhousemuseum.com/rags/ developed by the Powerhouse Museum bravely explores a topic often thought of as taboo.The site showcases a selection of paraphernalia from the museum’s collections, interspersed with menstrual anecdotes gathered during
a wider research project on Australian home remedies.
“Very few museums have collected artifacts associated with this defining occurrence in every woman’s life,” said curator of Health and Medicine, Megan Hicks.
The website explores what our mothers and grandmothers endured in a
time when tampons and pads were often unavailable and the issues of menstruation, period pain and women’s health were barely
even discussed.
A collection of sanitary towels and tampons, pharmaceuticals to relieve the discomforts of the monthly ‘period’, guidance booklets about puberty for adolescents and advertising material from throughout the early 1900s are
all on display in this fascinating virtual exhibition.
“Menstruation is an intrinsic part of the lives of all women, but the history of this subject is unexplored and rarely spoken of. This virtual exhibition is a great opportunity for people to learn about the evolution in marketing
and production of menstruation products. The personal recollections and anecdotes give a colourful insight into the social attitudes that have surrounded this entirely natural occurrence for so long”, said
Megan Hicks.
Megan Hicks was prompted to uncover the history of sanitary products after the museum acquired a collection of pieces for an exhibition on contraception and the role of birth control in Australia. The collection has gradually grown and after numerous public enquiries on the subject she decided to launch the website.
President’s column Bequests and donations
There are two issues I would like to raise in my
column this issue, the first being the topic of bequests and donations.
In Australia we have quite a number of fine collections of pharmacy memorabilia in the hands of private collectors, and as yet we do
not have a national, or even a state museum, devoted to pharmacy which is accessible to the public.
Pharmaceutical Defence Limited (PDL) took a positive step a few years ago and acquired one of the best private collections available at the time, but unfortunately it is not displayed in its entirety for research or just plain admiration, because of a lack of a suitable home for it.
The Federal Government has instituted two programmes to try and stimulate individuals and corporations to contribute to our national heritage, whether it be for cultural, artistic or educational benefits to
the community.
These programmes offer tax incentives that can be claimed by donors, and which can be spread over a period of five years if a bequest or donation is made to an approved institution, and the Commonwealth Valuer determines the value of the donation.
Full information is available on the ATO website www.ato.gov.au and link to ‘GiftPack for deductible gift recipients & donors’.
Because of the tax incentives available, more pharmacists with personal collections that are not to be passed on to family members should seriously consider the benefits of a bequest, which gives immense personal satisfaction, as well as a return on their investment.
Vice President
The second issue concerns the Academy, and its officers. Because we don’t have the opportunity to meet very frequently, the day-to-day decisions are made by a panel of members located in each State, using a ‘flying minute’ process. Currently the executive panel has agreed that Mr Radley West from Queensland become Vice President from January 1, 2005.
Radley has been a regular contributor to our Journal, as well as giving Pharmacy History lectures to undergraduate students at Queensland University over the years.
Welcome Radley!
I would like to ask for volunteers to join the executive panel from South Australia and the territories. Don’t hesitate to submit your own name if you are interested, and I can assure you the task is not an onerous one.
If you have any comments on this issue or in fact on any other matters concerning the Academy, please contact me
personally or through our secretary.
Ross
PS. Finally there is a reminder for those contemplating a trip to the UK this year to consider including the International Society for the History of Pharmacy congress being held in Edinburgh in June 2005 in your itinerary.
Ross Brown, President
2 ■ Pharmacy History Australia
volume 3 ■ no 25 ■ March 2005