1872
Roald Amundsen born July 16
Medicine chest, lid
The chest is divided into three lockable compartments. The lid contains several copies of a booklet with descriptions of various diseases and suggestions for treatment, and tubes of ointment for use such as frostbite, gout pain, eczema, burns and haemorrhoids.
An overview of the tubes and ointments. Photo: Follo museum, MiA
Ointments for gout pain. Photo: Follo museum, MiA
Ointments for gout pain and eczema. Photo: Follo museum, MiA
Ointments for eczema. Photo: Follo museum, MiA
Ointments for burns. Photo: Follo museum, MiA
Ointments for frostbite. Photo: Follo museum, MiA
Ointments for haemorrhoids. Photo: Follo museum, MiA
Ichthyol ointments. Photo: Follo museum, MiA
This medicine chest was made for Roald Amundsen’s planned expedition across the Arctic Ocean in 1914, but was not taken when the Maud left after several postponements four years later.
Included among the chest’s contents are remedies for use against seasickness, gonorrhea, frostbite, sleep problems and coughing.
The drugs were manufactured and prepared by pharmacist Wilhelm Wang, doctor Alexander Severin Arnfinsen and ophthalmologist Birger Lykke.
Although many polar expeditions had experienced diseases and accidents, Amundsen never had his own doctor on his expeditions; instead he prepared some of the crew by having them learn skills like tooth extraction, treatment of fractures and care of wounds.
The medicine chest in Augmented reality (AR)
Scan the QR code with a mobile device.
Related resources
