Alright, Doc, what was in here?

[Ethan S.]

I bought this bottle from a friend earlier this year, and I love it. It matches the bases made from the Baltimore Glassworks, and is Civil War period. What could have went in here? I know pills went into wide mouth containers, but this doesn't look like it held pills.

 

[kholland]

Very interesting.

 

[UCVRelics]

Lets ask our resident medical guru, paging @lelliott19

 

[JOHN42768]

Are you sure you want to now?

 

[Ethan S.]

Are you sure you want to now?

Yep. I've read accounts of woundings, I've seen period photo's of freshly wounded soldiers, and I have my imagination, so nothing would really shock me.

 

[3rd North Carolina]

if i would have to say either water or some sort of liquid inside

 

[lelliott19]

I bought this bottle from a friend earlier this year, and I love it. It matches the bases made from the Baltimore Glassworks, and is Civil War period. What could have went in here? I know pills went into wide mouth containers, but this doesn't look like it held pills.

Ethan, what size is your "U.S.A. Hosp. Dept." bottle? Quart?

 

[Ethan S.]

I

Ethan, what size is your "U.S.A. Hosp. Dept." bottle? Quart?

'm not too sure, let me look.

 

[Ethan S.]

It holds about one pint of water.

 

[lelliott19]

"Civil War period bottle embossing styles fall into several major types: (1) Two Straight Lines; the top line is "U.S.A." printed in raised letters. The second line reads, "Hosp. Dept." (2) "U.S.A Hosp. Dept." embossed in an oval. In this pattern, the "U.S.A" curves along the top of the oval and "Hosp. Dept." curves below (3) "United States Army Hospital Department" spelled out in a straight line (4) "U.S.A" arching over "Med'l Dept." (This is the only style incorporating the abbreviation for USA Medical Department dating from the Civil War era.)"

Read the rest here Link

 

[JPK Huson 1863]

Could bottles like this have held pretty much anything medicinal? As in medicine mixed to order as it was needed?

 

[Lubliner]

@lelliott19 that is a fantastic link. Thank you (saved it). I was wondering the same think as JPK above; whether bottles were made in quantity as empties to be filled with anything necessary, or just specifically for use per medicine (I doubt it). Then again, wash out and returns as deposit could be a big business. I need to read that link!
Lubliner.