Box of "Cocaine, Menthol and Sodium Borate Lozenges"

Metal tin with a lithographed label from the Grande Pharmacie Populaire L. Dieuzède , a first-class pharmacist in Montpellier, located at 4 rue Maguelone. This medical packaging promotes the virtues of menthol , sodium borate , and cocaine for treating throat ailments. The geometric typography and two-tone red and beige decoration are typical of the period 1900–1910, when cocaine was used as a local anesthetic. The side label reads “Cocaine 0.001,” which is very legible and rare in this condition.

✦ Origin: France, Montpellier (Hérault)
✦ Estimated period: Circa 1900–1910
✦ Dimensions: 8×5.5×2.5 cm
✦ Material: Lithographed tin box
✦ Condition: Good overall condition, even patina from use, label perfectly legible

A collectible pharmaceutical item, representative of medicine before strict regulation of narcotics — ideal for a cabinet of curiosities or an apothecary's display case.