Health Sciences · Hospital for Sick Children
Two unopened glass ampoule containing 100 milligrams of procaine hydrochloride crystals. The ampoules have a broader cap than the familiar format of glass ampoule. The ampule is labelled with green text applied directly to the glass.
Crystals adhere to the inside of the ampoule.
These ampoules are similar to the Novocain ampoule catalogued as 2025.sk.62. However these examples use a shorter ampoule with shorter label text that is oriented differently. They also lack engravings to facilitate breakage. These examples are likely related, possibly from the same Windsor, Ontario plant.
Accession Number: 2025.sk.63
Alternative Name:
Primary Materials: Glass, Procaine Hydrochloride.
Green printing on the surface of the ampoule reads as follows:
“100 mgm. // NOVOCAIN// BRAND OF PROCAINE HCl// CRYSTALS”
Dimensions: Height = 6, Width = 1,5, Length = 1.5.
Novocain is a brand name for procaine. It is administered as a local anesthetic, typically by injection. In its hydrochloride salt form, it is dissolved in distilled water to a specific concentration (typically between 1 to 10 percent) and injected into the area of the body requiring anesthesia. It works by blocking sodium conduction thereby inhibiting nerve transmission.
Beginning around the middle of the 20th century, Novocain was gradually supplanted by faster acting and more powerful local anesthetics.
Condition: The ampoules are unused and undamaged.
Associated Instruments:
Unknown as the manufacturer is not identified. However, this item is similar to 2025.sk.62 and the manufacturer may be the same.
Date of Manufacture: 20th c.
Provenance:
Additional Information and References:
Historical Notes: