POWERHOUSE COLLECTION

'Vincent's Powders' medicated powder in packaging

Object No. 2003/194/2

The analgesic Bex Powders, pink Vincent's Powders or, generically, 'APC powders' are Australian cultural icons, prominent among this country's repertoire of self-prescribed over-the-counter medications popular in the mid-20th century. And while everyone knew that the combination of aspirin, phenacetin and caffeine in Bex and Vincent's Powders was used by Australian housewives to help them get through the day, it took a doctor newly arrived from South Africa in the 1960s, Priscilla Kincaid-Smith, to recognise that these substances were addictive and that the massive doses of phenacetin taken by habitual users were causing widespread kidney disease. Eventually, in response to political activism, government controls were put on analgesic products in the 1970s. This packet of Vincent's Powders was manufactured some time after those government controls were put in place. Phenacetin has disappeared from the list of ingredients and the general wording on the packet has become more cautious than in previous years. The powders are simply for 'the symptomatic relief' of various painful conditions, and there is a caution that 'prolonged use without medical supervision could be harmful'. References: 'From Mr Sin to Mr Big: a history of Australian drug laws', by Desmond Manderson, Melbourne: Oxford University Press (1993). 'Interview with Professor Kincaid Smith', Australian Academy of Science http://www.science.org.au/scientists/pks.htm

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Summary

Object Statement

Medication and packaging, 'Vincent's Powders ', medicated powder / paper, made by Nicholas Pty Ltd for Vincent Chemical Company Pty Limited, Cjadstone, Victoria, Australia, 1975-1985

Physical Description

A box of 'Vincent's Powders'. The cardboard Vincent's Powders box in printed in the distinctive blue, yellow and cream livery of this brand. It contains 12 doses of analgesic powder, each individually wrapped in a paper. Text on the box indicates that 'Each powder contains Salicylamide 168 mg Aspirin 504 mg Caffeine Citrate 168 mg'. There are dosage instructions and the powders are recommended for 'the symptomatic relief of headache, nerve and muscular pain, rheumatism, lumbago, neuritis, toothache, period pains, sleeplessness due to pain, colds and influenza'.

DIMENSIONS

Height

35 mm

Width

82 mm

Depth

33 mm

PRODUCTION

Notes

According to the packet the powders were: Made in Australia by Nicholas Pty.Ltd. 699 Warrigal Rd., Chadstone Victoria 3148 for Vincent Chemical Company Pty.Limited N.S.W. Australia.

SOURCE

Credit Line

Gift of Overseas Medical Mission, St Vincent de Paul Society, 2003

Acquisition Date

12 November 2003

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