Exhibited June, 2001 - September, 2001

Several interesting non-western items have been added to the History of Medicine Collections. Among them is a nineteenth century gilded lacquer apothecary box to complement our numerous European apothecary jars. The container is Burmese, although the influence of Thai or Siamese culture is apparent in the style of the headdress on the 12 figures arranged around the upper rim of the piece, as well as in the larger central figure on the lid.

Each of the small golden figures can be lifted to reveal a red lacquer cylindrical well in which the apothecary would place herbs, medicinal plants, and other natural materials to be ground into a powder using a pestle. The central figure, who seems to be employing a pestle, serves as a handle for the lid, which when lifted, reveals a larger space for mixing and storage. Each figure is distinctive, governs specific cures, and relates to a part of the calendar.

In the East, as in western medicine of an earlier time, the belief was held that bodily humors had a direct effect on the health and behavior of the individual. The apothecary often acted as a shaman, not only preparing the potions but also administering them and then praying for an effective outcome. In modern Burma, now known as Myanmar, practitioners of western medicine have fled or have been reeducated during the past fifteen years due to civil unrest and military repression. As a result, the apothecary once again has become the primary source of treatment in many urban and rural areas.

For more information about this piece and other non-western medical artifacts, contact Suzanne Porter, Curator, History of Medicine Collections, at (919) 660-1143 or porte004@mc.duke.edu.