While taking photos of an old farm house in southern Minnesota today, I came across these drawers in an outbuilding. I can’t figure out what the heck they were for.
The mystery drawers in an outbuilding.
These drawers aren’t in a barn, but rather a small stable-like construction at the edge of the property. Could it have been a veterinary “clinic?” Here is a close-up shot of a couple of drawers that have markings on the handles:
NEPETA.CAT and RAD.RHEI.
Do these markings ring a bell with anyone? Help me out. I’m curious.
Catnip and Tincture of Rhubarb
Excellent. What is Tincture of Rhubarb for?
Tincture of Rhubarb is used for the digestive system; it can be an
anticholesterolemic, antiseptic, antispasmodic, antitumor, aperient, astringent, cholagogue, demulcent, diuretic, laxative, purgative, stomachic and tonic
Catnip can be used for reducing fevers, relieve colic in babies, restlessness and nervousness, relieves fevers due to colds and flu as well as calming the stomach and preventing nausea and diarrhea. Applied externally or added to bath it is good for skin irritations. Concentrated it can be used to repel fleas from carpets or the fur of animals or as an herbicide and insect repellant.
Interesting… so that little room was a rural apothecary, of a holistic sort, perhaps?
Here in Germany, that type of cupboard (with lots of small drawers) is called an apothecary cupboard. They probably salvaged it from an old pharmacy and used it as a workbench. My two cents!
Hillary,
That’s an interesting observation. The region of Minnesota where I found that was settled primarily by German immigrants. You may be on to something!
Tht is indeed an apothecary cupboard, they can be collectible and have been seen on Etsy and fetch quite a nice price usually