Summary

Box of Disprin tablets manufactured circa early 1950s by Reckitt & Colman in Sydney, and dispensed by Melbourne chemist 'I. Russell' of Ringwood, for the price of 3/3. There are 12 tablets remaining in the packet, and two sets of instructions for taking the tablets.

Disprin has been a popular pain relief medicine around the world for over 50 years and is still sold today. Pharmaceutical manufacturers Reckitt & Colman, based in Hull in the UK, began developing Disprin in the early 1940s, seeking to produce a soluble aspirin medicine which would cause less stomach irritation than traditional solid aspirin tablets. Disprin was launched in November 1948, its name chosen to represent both the active ingredient aspirin and the dissolving character of the medicine. Disprin quickly became popular and only a few years after its release became an international brand, being sold in Australia as well as New Zealand and South Africa in the 1950s. It was first sold in small glass bottles but this was soon replaced by foil packaging, which was more portable and robust. Reckitt & Colman were one of the first to develop aluminium foil packaging. Reckitt and Colman were also the manufacturers of Dettol, an antiseptic solution.

Physical Description

Box containing 12 Disprin tablets enclosed in silver foil packaging, 4 to a strip, and 2 sets of printed instructions for taking the tablets.

Significance

This packet is significant because it represents Disprin, a well known brand of pain relief medicine that has had a 50 year history in Australia. In addition, this particular packet was dispensed by a Melbourne chemist, providing a local story for the domestic medicine collection. It enhances the existing small collection of domestic medicine items.

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