Chemical analyses of the contents of an 1850s patent medicine bottel from the Burning Sands site, Morgan County, Illinois

Richard L. Fishel, John W. Scott, Elizabeth Watts Malouchous, Kristin M. Hedman, Trudi E. Butler

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

Abstract

Chemical analyses were undertaken on the contents of a Thomson's Compound Syrup of Tar and Wood Naphtha patent medicine bottle recovered during the archaeological excavation of a ca. 1850s house cellar at the Burning Sands archaeological site in Meredosia, Illinois. Chemical analysis included measurements of 11 metals, measurements of target polyaromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), general scans by gas chromatography mass spectrometry (GCMS), and screening for four currently illicit drugs of abuse by high resolution GCMS. In addition to documenting numerous compounds associated with tar, the presence of cannabis was also detected. While many of the chemical compounds identified have antiseptic, analgesic, anti-inflammatory, and antitussive properties, long-term and repeated exposure to some of the syrup's ingredients may have resulted in deleterious consequences.
Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)41-61
JournalIllinois Archaeology: Journal of the Illinois Archaeology Survey
Volume27
StatePublished - 2015

Keywords

  • ISAS
  • ISTC

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