Antique early 20th-century or late 19th-century veterinary sulphathiazole box with contents – very, very rare!!! This box contains lots of glass slides, small glass chemist bottles, etc., with some age-related wear.
9 cm wide
7 cm depth
12 cm tall
 
Burroughs Wellcome & Co. was a groundbreaking British pharmaceutical company founded in London in 1880 by American pharmacists Henry S. Wellcome and Silas M. Burroughs. Specialising in compressed medicines, it rapidly expanded into a leading manufacturer through innovative marketing, extensive research, and pioneering production techniques, eventually becoming the largest in Britain before WWII. The company was known for its tabloid medicines and the establishment of cutting-edge research laboratories, and it later became the foundation for the Wellcome Trust following Henry Wellcome's death.
Founding and Early Years
1880: Henry S. Wellcome and Silas M. Burroughs founded Burroughs Wellcome & Co. in London, initially as agents for American companies selling compressed medicines.
1883: The company began manufacturing its own products, including the brand-name "Tabloid" medicines, a term coined by Wellcome.
1889: The first main factory was established in Dartford, Kent, marking the company's shift to large-scale production.
Innovation and Growth
Pioneering Products: BW&Co. produced innovative products like Kepler Cod Liver Oil & Malt, Hazeline Snow, and various tonics, laxatives, and even tea in tabloid form.
Marketing Success: The company was an early adopter of sophisticated marketing techniques, including branding, advertising, market research, and maintaining product prices.
Scientific Research: BW&Co. was a leader in scientific research, establishing its own research laboratories by the 1890s, which fostered scientific advances and boosted the company's reputation.
Legacy and Evolution
Post-Burroughs Era: After Silas Burroughs' death in 1895, Henry Wellcome continued to lead the company, further expanding its global presence.
The Wellcome Trust: When Henry Wellcome died in 1936, he established the Wellcome Trust in his will, which became a major philanthropic entity focused on health research and development.
Industry Impact: Burroughs Wellcome & Co. played a significant role in the development of the modern pharmaceutical industry through its emphasis on scientific research, innovative marketing, and mass production.
History of Wellcome | About us
The origins of the Wellcome Trust: * The Wellcome Trust was formed in 1936 in accordance with the will of Henry Wellcome – a prominent figure in the growth of t...
 
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History and heritage - GSK
In 1880, American pharmacists Henry S. Wellcome and Silas M. Burroughs founded Burroughs Wellcome & Co in London. Focusing strongly on biological experimentation...
 
Sulphathiazole was a widely used sulfonamide antibiotic, discovered in 1939, that saw significant use in treating wound and skin infections, especially during and after World War II. Its widespread use was curbed by toxicity, sensitisation, and a major contamination disaster in 1940 where phenobarbital was found in sulfathiazole tablets, leading to deaths and injuries. This incident prompted stricter manufacturing standards and the FDA to withdraw approval for most sulfathiazole products, leading to their replacement by safer alternatives, though some specific formulations are still used today.
Early Use and Discovery
1939: Sulfathiazole was discovered as a sulfonamide antibiotic agent.
Early 1940s: It became a common oral and topical antimicrobial drug.
World War II: The drug was heavily relied upon for treating wound infections and skin infections, with documented benefits for soldiers.
Major Incident and its Aftermath
December 1940: A major incident, now known as the "sulfathiazole disaster", occurred when the Winthrop Chemical Company released sulfathiazole tablets contaminated with phenobarbital.
Consequences: This led to hundreds of deaths and injuries.
FDA Investigation: The subsequent investigation by the FDA revealed severe control deficiencies in the company's manufacturing plant and irregularities in their recall attempts.
New Standards: The incident was a turning point, prompting the FDA to require detailed production controls for sulfathiazole and setting the foundation for modern Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP) in the pharmaceutical industry.
Decline and Modern Use
Toxicity and Sensitisation: Sulfathiazole caused many cases of allergic reactions and sensitisation, further leading to its gradual abandonment in many countries.
Replacement by Alternatives: Less toxic antibiotics were discovered and became preferred alternatives.
FDA Action: The FDA withdrew approval for most drug products containing sulfathiazole, with the exception of some vaginal formulations.
Current Status: While largely replaced, sulfathiazole is occasionally used in specific combination products and remains a subject of study for its historical significance.