Page 15 - Pharmacy History 23 July 2004

Dayspring snakebite kit
the illustration with the three plastic combinations of the 1950s and 1960s, with a rubber tourniquet and antiseptic wipes. `
Plastic snakebite kits
Plastic snakebite kits were the most common type of kit available in the late 1950s and 1960s, and represent the final stages of development. These three-piece kits contained
a tiny lancet, a small quantity of Condy’s Crystals and an instruction sheet. They were made in the
thousands and they became standard Australian Army issue around this period.
Most commercial first aid kits designed to be carried by ‘out door people’, contained one of these kits
Webbing and
wooden tourniquet
This item is a common form of tourniquet that has been around for
a long time and recommended in
the treatment of snakebite. There
are many varieties of tourniquets
that turn up from time to time, but sadly the rubber types with metal anchors are becoming harder to find, simply because rubber deteriorates rather quickly when not cared for properly. Most first aid kits came with
a tourniquet of some type, but they could also be purchased separately. They were widely recommended for the management of severe bleeding.
Today
Australia was the first country in
the world to use the compression (crepe) bandage for snakebite. This revolutionary treatment was introduced in 1976 following the work of the late Dr Struan Sutherland of CSL. This and other research spelt the end of the cut-and-suck method, and the end
of the snakebite kit. It was not just the introduction of the compression bandage that killed the snakebite
kit, but the considerable amount of research that went into developing venom detection kits and anti-venom treatments against envenomation by
the world’s deadliest snakes that exist in Australia.
For information on first aid for snakebite, contact your local ambulance authority, St John Ambulance or the Red Cross.
This article was reproduced from Collectables Trader June/July 2003, by kind permission of the author and the Editor Mr A Jaku.
Webbing and wooden tourniquet
UNIQUE ADVERTISING FROM 75 YEARS AGO
Satan’s Lament
The devil sat on his doorstep, wiping a tearful eye,
Curling his tail with a red-hot nail, while his boarders heard him sigh, “Alas for the days that are no more, when on the River Styx Friend Charon plied a busy oar from eight o’clock till six,
When his boat was always full of those whose days on earth were done, And who didn’t object to grilling, to pay for their bit of fun,
But on earth they’ve giv’n up dying, and I see by this morning’s mail It’s all because Woods’ Great Peppermint Cure has found a ready sale.”
The devil sat on his doorstep, his grief was sad to see,
“Alas,” he sobbed, “If this goes on, whatever will happen to me”?
He tucked his tail beneath his arm, he rang the telephone bell, “Charon’s Ferry, and hurry up. Satan speaking from L-
That you, Charon? Satan speaking. What hope of a load to-day’- “None whatever. Am closing ferry. Cannot make the business pay .. The devil sank fainting on the floor. From his lips there rose a wail, “Euchred’. Because Woods’ Great Peppermint Cure has found a ready sale.”
W.E. WOODS LTD Manufacturing Chemists, Sydney & Wellington, N.Z. Propdetors of WOODS’ GREAT PEPPERMINT CURE. Sold throughout Australia under P.A.T.A. conditions.
volume 2 ■ no 24 ■ November 2004
Pharmacy History Australia ■ 15