[A personal prescription book]

Area of Science:

• * History of Pharmacy
• * Pharmaceutical History
• * Medical History

Background:

• * A unique prescription book from 1906-1917, belonging to Mrs. I.J. Valentiner, is housed in the Danish Collection of the History of Pharmacy.
• * The book contains 45 prescriptions, primarily written by Mrs. Valentiner's brother, physician Axel Bentsen, for her and her family on the Frederikslund estate on Funen.
• * Prescriptions were often issued during Bentsen's visits, suggesting a practical approach to providing a range of medicines like analgesics, cough mixtures, laxatives, and ointments.

Discussion:

• * The frequent, close dating of prescriptions implies they were issued during the physician's visits to his sister.
• * This practice highlights a personal and practical method of medicine provision within a family context during the early 20th century.
• * The involvement of various pharmacies in dispensing these prescriptions indicates the distribution network for medicines at the time.

Key Insights:

• * The prescription book serves as a valuable primary source for understanding the types of medications commonly used for ailments such as pain, respiratory issues, and skin conditions.
• * It provides a glimpse into the patient-physician relationship and family healthcare practices in rural Denmark during the specified period.
• * The record demonstrates the longevity of use for the prescription book, spanning 20 years until 1926, with 24 prescriptions dispensed by different pharmacies.

Outlook:

• * Further analysis could explore the specific ingredients and therapeutic uses of the documented medicines.
• * This historical document can contribute to broader studies on public health, pharmaceutical practices, and social history in early 20th-century Denmark.
• * Comparative studies with other available prescription records could reveal regional or temporal variations in medical treatments.