Civil War Apothecary Bottle with Contents – Subsulphate of Iron (Monsel’s Powder), Powers & Weightman, Philadelphia

Description

Civil War Apothecary Bottle with Contents – Subsulphate of Iron (Monsel’s Powder),

Powers & Weightman, Philadelphia

 

A superb and seldom-encountered Civil War–era medical bottle retaining its original contents and full paper labeling. The label reads “Subsulph. Iron, 1 oz. – Monsel’s Powder” and is marked for Powers & Weightman, Philadelphia, one of the foremost American chemical manufacturers of the mid-19th century and a major supplier of pharmaceutical compounds during the war.

 

The contents—subsulphate of iron, more commonly known as Monsel’s salt or Monsel’s powder (ferric subsulfate)—was a critical styptic agent widely used by Civil War surgeons. Its primary function was to rapidly control hemorrhaging, particularly in battlefield conditions where time and resources were limited. Applied directly to wounds, it acted by chemically cauterizing tissue and promoting coagulation, making it especially valuable in treating traumatic injuries and during surgical procedures such as amputations. While highly effective in stopping bleeding, it was also known to be caustic and could impede healing if overused—typical of many period emergency treatments where survival outweighed long-term outcomes.

 

The bottle itself is hand-blown glass with a tooled lip and retains its original cork stopper. The label remains largely intact and legible, with expected toning. The vivid yellow powder inside is well-preserved, offering a rare and visually striking survival of original Civil War–era medical contents.

 

An exceptional and highly displayable example of wartime medical practice, directly representative of the tools and treatments employed by Union surgeons in the field and hospital settings.

 

Inventory Number: MED 330