Worm cakes tin
Robert Gibson & Sons Ltd.
Category
Childcare objects
Date
circa 1905
Materials
Metal.
Measurements
144 mm (height); 153 mm (diameter)
Place of origin
Manchester
Order this imageCollection
Sudbury Hall Museum of Childhood, Derbyshire
NT 662630
Caption
For centuries cocoa and chocolate have been used to flavour medicines and encourage patients to swallow bitter concoctions. These Chocolate Worm Cakes were advertised by manufacturers Robert Gibson & Sons as a ‘delicious Sweetmeat’ and were designed to treat intestinal worm infestations. Worm cakes were small, flavoured tablets made with cinnamon and compounds of poisonous mercury, which destroyed the parasitic worms. Worm infestations were often transmitted by infected food and could be particularly dangerous to the health of malnourished children. Newspapers and handbills from the 19th and 20th centuries show the huge variety of patent medicines available over the counter. Manufacturers invested large sums to advertise their products to the public. This colourful tin is designed to stand out on the shelf and tempt customers, particularly those unable to afford prescriptions. Doctors’ fees could be costly, but these cakes were purchased directly from the chemist for a penny, along with an envelope of instructions.
Summary
A cylindrical metal tin for 'Chocolate Worm Cakes'. The tin lid can no longer be removed. The tin is coloured cream, red and blue. Inside a red and blue circle on the lid is a picture of a pestle and mortar with the words 'Trade Mark' written on it. On either side are the initials 'R' and 'G'. On the reverse side of the tin are the directions for use.
Marks and inscriptions
Side of the tin: 'Prepared by/ ROBERT GIBSON/ AND SONS LTD/ Manchester and London/ CHOCOLATE/ WORM/ CAKES/ P.J. FORM 1418'
Makers and roles
Robert Gibson & Sons Ltd., maker