Antique Chloroform "Parmint" Glass Bottle (Empy)

As far as historical anesthetics go, chloroform was pretty damn popular. It would completely knock out patients, and it was also used recreationally during the 19th and early 20th centuries.

In the early days of medicine, you would administer it similarly to ether—by pouring the liquid onto a cloth or into a specialized mask and having the patient huff the fumes. Contrary to popular belief, people wouldn't immediately drift off to sleep; it actually took a moment of inhalation to take effect.

What made chloroform so notoriously dangerous, however, was its tendency to cause sudden, unpredictable death. Seemingly healthy individuals would just die on the operating table due to sudden cardiac arrest or respiratory failure, which is why ether was widely understood to be the much safer surgical option.

Condition & Craftsmanship

This specific bottle is an adorable, compact size. It features a beautiful hand-blown glass construction, which is immediately recognizable by the unique character, slight irregularities, and texture of the antique glass.