Coast Salish Collections: Archaeology and Ethnology of the Gulf of Georgia (Traditions)

Dr. J.S. Helmcken Medical Collection - Smallpox related artifacts Helmcken House, Elliot Street Square, Victoria, B.C.

VACCINE
HH1988.3.29

Manufacturer: NEW ENGLAND VACCINE CO.
Description: ONE SMALL ROUND METAL CONTAINER WITH CAP, CONTAINING DARK BROWN CONTAINER HOLDING VACCINE. CONTAINER HAS PAPER LABEL ON TOP, BEIGE WITH RED BORDER, WRITTEN IN INK, "FEBY 10.80 FOLKERS BRO." METAL CONTAINER ALSO HAS A SHORT PIECE OF FLAT METAL WITH FILE RIDGES ON ONE SIDE, AND NINE PAPER-THIN IVORY VACCINATORS. PRINTED ON CONTAINER, "CAREFULLY OBSERVE THE ENCLOSED DIRECTIONS. PATENT OF NOV. 27, 1877. SOLID LYMPH CONE AND OUTFIT, NEW ENGLAND VACCINE CO., CHELSEA, MASS. WHOLESALE AND RETAIL PURVEYORS OF BOVINE VACCINE VIRUS." THIS WAS A COWPOX VACCINATION AGAINST SMALLPOX.

VACCINATOR
HH1988.3.30
Subcategory: PHARMACEUTICAL EQUIPMENT
Location: MEDICAL DISPLAY ROOM
Manufacturer: unknown
Description: ONE IVORY VACCINATOR BLADE, FOLDS INTO IVORY HANDLE, WHICH IS HELD TOGETHER WITH TINY BRASS RIVETS. USED FOR SMALLPOX VACCINATION. NOTE: IVORY WAS PREFERRED MATERIAL FOR VACCINATION BECAUSE VACCINE WOULD REMAIN VIABLE ON IT.

VACCINATOR
HH1988.3.35A-D
Subcategory: PHARMACEUTICAL EQUIPMENT
Location: MEDICAL DISPLAY ROOM
Manufacturer: unknown
Description: TEN PAPER-THIN IVORY VACCINATORS, IN BRASS CAPSULE WITH LID, ENCASED IN UNFINISHED BOXWOOD CAPSULE WITH LID. CAPSULE IS MADE OF ONE PIECE OF WOOD, SHAPED AND HOLLOWED, INCLUDING LID. A) BOXWOOD CAPSULE; B) LID; C)BRASS CAPSULE; D) 10 IVORY VACCINATORS USED FOR SMALLPOX VACCINATION. NOTE: IVORY WAS PREFERRED MATERIAL FOR VACCINATION BECAUSE VACCINE WOULD REMAIN VIABLE ON IT.