Carl,
Because of the different interpretations of your artifact, I checked with
Frank Sternad, a pharmacist, historian, and authority on pharmaceutical
antiques.  Here is our exchange.
Allen

Hi Allen,
I agree with you. This looks like an early kind of ampule for an injectible,
or an early unit dose container for a non-injectible. The latter would apply
if the contents were something like iodine or merthiolate tincture. The tip
was broken off and the antiseptic applied with cotton.
Cheers,
Frank
 
-----Original Message-----
From: Allen Vegotsky [mailto:[log in to unmask]] 
Sent: Wednesday, February 27, 2008 1:55 PM
To: Frank Sternad
Subject: FW: Artifact ID
 
Hi Frank,
Don't know if I was successful in sending this to you yesterday. There is
considerable discussion on the historical arch. discussion site about the
significance of the artifact referred to below. It looks to me like an
ampule tapered at both ends. The shape of this ampule (?) is puzzling since
most modern ones are tapered at only one end. I suspect it would have had
to be blown in a lab rather than made in some kind of assembly line and
probably was used for shipping a sterile solution.
Best wishes. Let me know when your book on Rexall or whatever is published.
Allen



> [Original Message]
> From: Carl Steen <[log in to unmask]>
> To: <[log in to unmask]>
> Date: 2/26/2008 2:01:34 PM
> Subject: Artifact ID
>
> I found this item in a mid 20th century context. Any ideas? Image at:
>
> http://38ch69.com/What%20page.html
>
> Thanks
> Carl Steen
>
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