Laudanum

Started by Forty Rod, July 16, 2017, 08:33:55 AM

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Forty Rod

Here's a new one for you:  what does liquid laudanum look like?
People like me are the reason people like you have the right to bitch about people like me.

Capt Quirk


litl rooster




I think it is available in different forms today ::).


Oh Nurse! I think it is time fir my special juice....
Mathew 5.9

Forty Rod

Thanks, guys.  I'll use a watered down applw juice for my bottles.
People like me are the reason people like you have the right to bitch about people like me.

litl rooster

Quote from: Forty Rod on July 16, 2017, 12:34:54 PM
Thanks, guys.  I'll use a watered down applw juice for my bottles.


And you still have your scalp?



Mathew 5.9

Professor Marvel

Greetings My Good 40

"Laudanum is a tincture of opium containing approximately 10% powdered opium by weight (the equivalent of 1% morphine).[1]

Reddish-brown and extremely bitter, laudanum contains almost all of the opium alkaloids, including morphine and codeine, and its high morphine concentration makes it a potent narcotic. "

Since many pharmecutical bottles were brown or blue glass to protectthe contents from the sun, you could pretty much use whatever you like :-)

yhs
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litl rooster

Professor is correct about amber and cobalt  bottles. Many of the pintrest images show that. 


Let me tell you about side effects of opioids :  constipation - sleepyness- halucinations..... oh my!   that just me
Mathew 5.9

Ben Beam

It's true that pharmacists would often use dark colored bottles, but drugs that came pre-bottled from manufacturers were very often in clear bottles, many with the name of the medication or manufacturer molded into the glass.

Laudanum was frequently found in clear glass bottles, often thin and tall. I can attest from experience that similar bottles are very difficult to find, and your best bet is to look on eBay or local antique stores (if you go to a local store, bring a picture with you so you can show them what you're looking for, you'd be surprised what they often have not on display due to lack of space).

Forty, I believe that the photo that litl rooster posted is of an empty bottle—the color you're seeing is likely the remnants coating the glass. Laudanum is still sold today (with a prescription), and you can find photos online which match the descriptions from the period—dark, reddish brown in color, fairly opaque. In terms of odor, it was typically flavored with cinnamon or saffron to mask the extreme bitterness of the opium. The base was frequently ethyl alcohol, which made it quite a powerful combination (and extremely dangerous).
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