Call Number:

Ms. Codex 1887

Repository:

University of Pennsylvania: Kislak Center for Special Collections, Rare Books and Manuscripts

Extent:

1 volume (+ 2 leaves)

Language:

English

Preferred Citation:

Robert George Eustace formulae, 1897-1932, Ms. Codex 1887, Kislak Center for Special Collections, Rare Books and Manuscripts, University of Pennsylvania

Date:

1897-1932 (inclusive)

Creator:

Eustace, Robert George

Form:

Codices (bound manuscripts), Formularies, Prescriptions, Recipes, and Clippings (information artifacts)

Abstract:

This volume containing chemical formulas for medicinal, veterinary, toiletry, household and photographic purposes was written by English chemist Robert George Eustace. The volume spans the years from 1897 to 1932.

Robert George Eustace was born in Wathemstow, Essex, England to Robert and Emma Smith Eustace. In 1891 Eustace was living in London as a chemist's apprentice. He was a registered chemist working for the English pharmacy Boots Pure Drug Company in 1891 as a chemist, dealer, and manager living in Chelsea. He later lived in Acton, Middlesex with his wife Alice Maud, his son Sydney Herbert Eustace and two step children George and Dorothy Aldridge.

This ruled volume containing chemical formulas for medicinal, veterinary, toiletry, household and photographic purposes was written by chemist Robert George Eustace. The volume spans the years from 1897 to 1932. Manuscript enumeration of pages 1 to 241 appear on the rectos. Written twice on the first leave is Eustace's signature with the dates 1897 and 1921 followed by Formulae. The formulas in the volume are divided into five parts and written as follows: Internal remedies, pages 1-35; External remedies, pages 61-120; Veterinary, pages 121-146; Miscellaneous, pages 181-206; and Photographic, pages 36-50. The myriad of chemical formulas in the volume provide prescriptions for a multitude of ailments. Remedies for illnesses such as coughs, croup, gout, grippe, indigestion, influenza, neurological complaints, seasickness, and worms are included. Two specific internal remedies of note include Tonic female pills and Eustace's liver specific. External remedies provide preparations for the bath including those for care of the hair, teeth, and skin and include hair washes, powders, and dyes; skin lotions, cold creams, ointments and perfumes; and tooth pastes and powders. Veterinary recipes include remedies for coughs, distemper, fevers, food, foot rot, and mange for the following animals, canaries, dogs, horses, pigs, and sheep. The section entitle Miscellaneous contains items for household use including cleaners, polishes, shellac colors, and pest control. The photographic portion of the volume includes various formulas for developers, fixing baths, hypo-eliminators, intensifiers, toners, and solutions for Velox paper. Lastly, at the end of the volume is a small section devoted to culinary recipes including curry, chutneys, picklings, sauces and wine essences. There are several labels and printed items pasted in the volume. A printed label is on the inside front cover. A formula is pinned to the front marbled endpaper. An item entitled Useful information is pasted across the last endpaper and inside back cover. Two items are laid in the volume: a typewritten letter from Eustace on Boots stationary to a doctor dated 1932 with a formula on the verso and one newspaper clipping. Handmade alphabetical finding tabs are on twelve leaves preceding page 1. Pages 145-179 and 207-233 are blank.