Call Number:

Ms. Codex 1940

Repository:

University of Pennsylvania: Kislak Center for Special Collections, Rare Books and Manuscripts

Extent:

1 volume (+ 1 leaf)

Language:

English

Preferred Citation:

John Birkett pharmaceutical recipe book, 1856-1860, Ms. Codex 1940, Kislak Center for Special Collections, Rare Books and Manuscripts, University of Pennsylvania

Date:

1856-1860 (inclusive)

Creator:

Birkett, John

Form:

Recipes, Prescriptions, Formularies (Medicine), and Codices (bound manuscripts)

Abstract:

A volume comprised of formulas written by English chemist and druggist John Birkett spanning the years from 1856 to 1860. The formulas in the volume were used for medicinal, hygienic, and household purposes.

Birkett was a chemist and druggist in Morecambe, Lancashire, England. He owned a drugstore in Morecambe, served for twenty years on the board of health, and was associated with the school board. Birkett married Mary Ann Taylor in 1864 and the couple had four children. His eldest son, John took over business.

A ruled volume comprised of formulas written by English chemist and druggist John Birkett spanning the years from 1856 to 1860. The formulas in the volume were used for medicinal, hygienic, and household purposes. An alphabetical index precedes 187 numbered pages followed by several unnumbered leaves. The volume includes recipes for balms, cordials, creams, ethers, ointments, pills, plasters, powders, tinctures, and ungents providing remedies for various ailments and diseases. Some ailments include coughs, corns, digestion, gout, eye ailments, fevers, and rheumatism. Named formulas include Andersons Scott's pills, Gregory's powder, and Hooper's pills. There are some preparations for toiletries including cold creams, colognes, hair tonics, soaps, and tooth powders. There are household recipes for blacking, cements, inks, lacquers, pastes, polishes, stains, varnishes, and waxes. Formulas to control pests included bug poison, fly powder, and vermin destroyer. One section provides formulas for photographic developers, fixers, silver baths, and solutions. A few culinary recipes are included such as browning sauce, children's gum, curing beef, curry powder, ginger beer, meat pie, and walnut ketchup. There are a few formulas regarding the care of animals. One leaf with a typed recipe for beef spice is laid in the volume. On the inside front cover and marbled endpaper is written: Sugar White. Verso of endpaper: John Birkett, Morecambe, Sept. 6th, 1856. On the last leaf and recto of the last endpaper is a diagram with measurements and a short explanation to create what appears to be a hammered dulcimer.