Call Number:

Ms. Codex 1941

Repository:

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

Extent:

1 volume

Language:

English

Preferred Citation:

Frederick Robinson Bell pharmaceutical recipe book, 1861-1898, Ms. Codex 1941, Kislak Center for Special Collections, Rare Books and Manuscripts, University of Pennsylvania

Date:

1861-1898 (inclusive)

Creator:

Bell, F. R. (Frederick Robinson)

Form:

Manuscripts, English -- 19th century, Finding tabs, Recipes, Prescriptions, and Formularies (Medicine)

Abstract:

A volume comprised of formulas written by English chemist and druggist Frederick Robinson Bell spanning the years from 1861-1898. The formulas in the volume were used for medicinal, hygienic, and household purposes.

Born in Stockton-On-Tees, Durham, England to Michael and Elizabeth Bell. Frederick R. Bell studied chemistry and worked in Middlesbrough for approximately ten years. He moved to Norfolk where he operated a drugstore in Swaffham. Bell married Elizabeth Ellwood in 1864 and the couple had four children.

A ruled volume comprised of formulas written by English chemist and druggist Frederick Robinson Bell. The formulas in the volume were used for medicinal, hygienic, and household purposes. A tabbed alphabetical index precedes 129 numbered pages. The remainder of the leaves are unnumbered. The volume includes recipes for balms, cordials, creams, drops, essences, extracts, liniments, mixtures, ointments, pills, powders, tinctures, and ungents providing remedies for various ailments and diseases. Some ailments include back pain, blisters, cancer, cholera, coughs, corns, digestion, ear aches, eye ailments, fevers, gout, rheumatism, scurvy, spasms, and sprains. A formula for cholera was created by by Bell as advertised on a label pasted in the volume. A recipe for Godfrey's cordial appears in the volume. Several recipes labeled Stamper's are included. There are preparations for toiletries including cold creams, colognes, cosmetics, eye paint, hair washes, pomades, soaps, and toothpastes. Some household recipes include blacking, cements, inks, pastes, poisons for pests, polishes, stains, varnishes, and waxes. There are two recipes for electroplating: silver electro and gold electro. A few formulas to treat sheep and horses are included. There a some culinary recipes included such as curry powder, ginger beer, and lemon pickle. Two labels are pasted in the volume one for chemist E. Mandall in Stockton-On-Tees and one for F. R. Bell in Swaffham advertising their respective cures. Two stamps: F. R. Bell, Middlesborough is on the first end leaf.