‘WATKINS/ LAXATIVE WAFERS/ CHOCOLATE FLAVORED’[sic], square

Small, square, mustard yellow with orange, white and brown detail, metal, ‘WATKINS/ LAXATIVE WAFERS/ CHOCOLATE FLAVORED’ [sic](34 laxative tablets inside), tin. Top of tin has orange and white decorative border, with central brown detail around/divides text. Text reads; ‘WATKINS/ TRADE MARK/ J.R. Watkins (cursive)/ LAXATIVE WAFERS/ CHOCOLATE FLAVORED [sic]/ THE J.R. WATKINS CO./ MELBOURNE SYDNEY ADELAIDE/ MONTREAL WINNIPEG VANCOUVER’. Side of tin reads ‘Chocolate Flavored’ [sic], in brown cursive. Top of tin slides off base to open. 34 laxative tablets inside: small, brown, oblong, ‘WATKINS’ embossed on top and bottom of tablet. Base mirrors top border decoration. Text reads; ‘WATKINS LAXATIVE WAFERS/ Delightfully flavoured with chocolate/ This general purpose laxative or cathartic … scientifically/ compounded to evacuate and regulate the action of the bowels./ The ingredients are skilfully blended and produce a pleasant/ chocolate taste. They produce free, natural movements without/ pain or discomfort. No ill effects on the general system, which/ often results from laxatives, is experienced from their use. They/ do not nauseate or gripe. They are safe to take because they/ are almost entirely eliminated from the system, instead of being/ absorbed./ DIRECTIONS/ For Adults: Take one or two wafers at bedtime. Chew/ thoroughly and wash down with water. … obstinate cases, as a/ purgative, three to six wafers may be taken./ For children 10 years old, ½ adult dose./ For children 5 years old, ¼ adult dose./ THE J.R. WATKINS COMPANY/ Melbourne, Sydney, Adelaide,/ Montreal, Winnipeg, Vancouver/ F.M. 438 MADE IN AUSTRALIA’. Paint scratched, slight rusting, tin dented. Lid slides off with ease. Some wafers crumbling, but most hold shape well. Underside of lid scraped from past removal.

Department: 

Collection

Stanwix Collection

History Collection

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