What's in Your . . .

Medicine cabinet — ever thought about the contents of the one(s) in your home and the assorted items contained there — possibly everything from medicines to toiletries ?

Author Bill Bryson wrote the bathroom and many other rooms in his old Victorian British house in his 2010 book, At Home: A Short History of Private Life. Bryson's book included an architectural history as well as details on specific rooms, such as the kitchen, scullery and larder, drawing room, dining room, study, cellar, garden, stairs, bedroom, dressing room, nursery, attic and the bathroom.

While I confess that Bryson's book is on my bookshelf, I haven't yet read it completely, and most likely never will. Reading some of it, I started thinking about rooms in our apt, specifically the 2 bathrooms where I was reorganizing the medicine cabinets. I'm not sure that subconsciously thinking about Bryson's work led me to learn some information about this bathroom fixture. More likely, any distraction from the task would do. 

We have two of these cabinets in our apartment, in the master bedroom and the guest bathroom. The styling is very basic as shown here (apt fixtures are often basic). It reminds me of when I was growing up in a single family bathroom. That cabinet was made of chrome, and built-into the bathroom. Behind its mirrored door, my mother stored items for her family including a thermometer, Vicks VapoRub® ointment, Vaseline® petroleum jelly, iodine, band-aids, gauze and tape, aspirin, toothpaste, file sticks, and tweezers.

Centuries ago, pharmacists and physicians used early versions of medicine cabinets called apothecary cabinets. These held tools including a mortar and pestle, spoons and scales. Apothecary shops sold prepared herbs and medicine wholesale to other medical practitioners, and dispensed them to patients. In addition, the apothecary offered general medical advice and services, now performed by other specialists, such as surgeons and obstetricians. 

The mortar and pestle symbol conveyed even to those unable to read that the shop had services available and it's still widely used today. In some areas, apothecary is still used to refer to a retail pharmacy or a pharmacist who owns one. 

Early home medicine cabinets were simple. A kit would be hung on the wall with basic treatments and supplies. Ever earlier, supplies would have been stored in the kitchen. As you can imagine, there was often overlap of tools used for medicine or food. In time, a separation developed. Medicines and personal items were stored in a bedroom or pantry, in a dresser or separate chest to keep them away from bugs, rodents, or children. 

1926 bathroom tile catalog ad

After indoor plumbing became widespread and bathrooms were installed in homes, medical and personal supplies were relocated to that room. The medicine cabinet was well stocked on advice from healthcare and medical professionals and from the makers of those cabinets. The message delivered was here are things you need in your home and here's where to store them. It was recommended that these cabinets be filled with multiple preventatives and remedies considered essential for daily grooming and personal care.

Medicine cabinets served a dual purpose and stored medical plus healthcare items and toiletries. Early contents included a thermometer and ointments and razors, toothbrushes, combs and other items associated with personal care and/or and beauty.

1923 Squibb products ad

The "modern" wall-mounted medicine cabinet evolved in the early 20th century in response to public health initiatives, and from shoppers who wanted to buy and store personal care goods in their homes for use whenever needed. 

Wives and mothers were traditionally responsible for the cabinet's contents and care. A well-stocked one implied that the home also was well-managed.

In the 1920s, health reformers and advertisers alike promoted the bathroom as the center of good health and personal cleanliness. A neat cabinet might be seen as a sign of good housekeeping. Whereas one with expired prescriptions or half-used products could be viewed as bad housekeeping or worse yet poor health. 

Smithsonian National Museum of American History

Here's a couple of 1920s product ads found online from the Smithsonian National Museum of American History. The bomb was a tear drop-shaped glass ampoule containing 0.35g of chlorine gas, which the user would release into a confined space and breathe in. The idea came from the U.S. Chemical Warfare Service’s experiments into the use of chlorine against colds after WW I. While I wondered how effective the Kilacold ad was in attracting consumers to buy this product. It didn't appeal to me at all.

A greater success story was that of Madam C.J. Walker, born Sarah Breedlove, who in 1905 created a line of African-American hair-care products. Her entrepreneurship in this and other products helped her to become one of the first American women to be a self-made millionaire (who knew?)

There's always been a certain mystery attached to something considered a private space that's usually in a publicly accessible part of a home. Who hasn't heard jokes or stories written about guests snooping in a host's medicine cabinets? In countless crime shows,  detectives or police invariably check out the medicine cabinet to help resolve a case.  

Guest bathroom medicine cabinet

Here's the before contents of the medicine cabinet in our guest bathroom. Yes, it's a bit very disorganized and cluttered, but it was reorganized (somewhat) after this photo. Here's some of what it contained:

• Bandaids, tape, gauze pads, tape
• Antiseptic lotion
• Eye drops
• Nasal spray
• Dental floss
• Pain relievers of various types
• Antacid tablets
• Earwax removal
• Allergy relief
• Cortisone cream
• Sunburn relief
• Lens spray
• Cold sore medication
• Nail clipper files, eye droppers
• Salt for sore throats and toothaches

Most of these items are readily available as over-the-counter (OTC) medications and/or treatments for common ailments/injuries. No prescription medications are stored here. Quite a few items relocated with us from VA, and while no longer in active use, they serve as reminders of past disorders and successful treatment of an illness, ache, cut or burn and some items, like bandaids, gauze, tape never go out-of-date. 

Whether or not we still need some most of these is questionable, but we're not tempting fate, just yet. If they worked earlier, they could be needed  again, someday and for a middle-of-the-night emergency.

Fortunately, where we live now in NH, there's easy access to not one but two downtown retail pharmacy stores open 24 hours. That wasn't the case in our former VA residence.

Feel free to share what's in your medicine cabinet and do you use everything in it ?