Antique "Glyco-Heroin" Medication Bottle from 1900-1919

Yes, Heroin was an actual medication that was somewhat common, and yes, this is an original bottle (empty) that contained it.

In the late 1800s, opiates were very common and used for many, many reasons: aches and pains, sleep aids, diarrhea, period cramps, and eye problems. There were many names and types for them back in the day—Opium, Laudanum, Paregoric, Morphine, and Codeine. Though they were commonly used, they were also widely understood to be very addictive. So, when heroin was invented, it was advertised as a potentially safer alternative. Heroin was sold in a few products, and this bottle is from one of the most famous heroin products of the time. Martin H. Smith's "Glyco-Heroin" was a mixture of glycerin and heroin, and its ads can be found in many editions of druggist magazines.

This specific bottle, I would guess, is from around 1900–1919 because around 1919 the product name was changed from Glyco-Heroin to Glykeron. This adds to the value of the bottle, as it literally says "Heroin" clear as day on it. These are pretty collectible and fantastic for a collection.