Museum of Poison

29/08/2026

Bottles in the vetinary section

Tincture of Aconite Root — Noyes Bros. & Cutler - 1920s–1940s
A pharmaceutical preparation of aconite root, containing the extremely poisonous alkaloid aconitine💀
Sold as a 50% alcohol tincture and clearly labelled “POISON.” This example was intended for veterinary use, with doses for horses and cattle measured in drops.
The dose is what makes a deadly plant poison being commercially manufactured and supplied as a medicine

Stimulating Embrocation — Parke, Davis & Co. - 1919–1930s

A medicinal external liniment used as a stimulating rub for muscles and aches. It contains camphor, thymol, ammonia and turpentine, producing warming, antiseptic and skin-irritating effects.
Typical of early 20th-century medicines, it was intended to be rubbed into the skin—never taken internally☠️

24/08/2026

Our newest poison smell is AMMONIA
Ammonia was historically recovered as a by-product of coal-gas production. Coal was heated without air, producing coal gas and leaving coke behind. Nitrogen and hydrogen in the gas reacted to form ammonia, which was actually recommended to be used in the bath😵🛁

Thanks to the following for inspiration🤗

21/08/2026

More new flags.... keep em coming🤗☠️

20/08/2026

Finally recognised as a real museum...
YES! we have totebags!😅☠️
You know you want one🤗

19/08/2026

At the Museum of Poison, visitors can now smell the historical Lysol formulation from a 1940s bottle. I’ve placed a small amount in a container with a sponge so the characteristic smell can be experienced safely without handling the original bottle.

The Lysol of this period was very different from modern formulations. It was based on cresol/cresylic acid, although the formula was modified during WWII because of shortages, with cresylic acid and ortho-hydroxydiphenyl among the active ingredients.
In 1952, cresol was removed as the formulation was changed following concerns about its severe corrosive effects and poisoning incidents.

Thanks to the following for inspiration🤗

16/08/2026

Solanum dulcamara, or bittersweet nightshade, is a poisonous climbing plant in the nightshade family. Its distinctive purple flowers have bright yellow stamens, followed by berries that ripen from green to orange and finally vivid red.
All parts contain toxic glycoalkaloids, with the berries posing a particular risk☠️
Despite its toxicity, it was historically used in traditional medicine for skin complaints, rheumatism and other ailments😵

Find out more about the museum or

15/08/2026

A new addition to the collection are these 3 (empty!) pastille tins.
These Menthol–Cocaine Borate pastilles were sold in French pharmacies for sore throats, hoarseness and laryngitis. The co***ne provided local anaesthesia, while menthol and borate were promoted for their soothing and antiseptic properties.

The tins show several manufacturers and pharmacies. Pharmacie Principale H. Canonne in Paris marketed one version around 1900–1910. Another, from the Coopération Pharmaceutique Française (COOPER) in Melun, combined co***ne with Stovaïne, a newer synthetic local anaesthetic developed by Ernest Fourneau at Poulenc Frères in 1904.

The COOPER itself was established in 1907 by pharmacist Albert Salmon, initially as a cooperative of French pharmacists. By the 1920s it was producing and distributing a wide range of pharmaceutical products.

The recommended dose on one of these boxes was 8–10 pastilles a day!😬🇨🇵

For more info about our museum, check out Atlas Obscura
Visit Bergen

15/08/2026

14/08/2026

Check out Atlas Obscura if you're travelling and looking for somewhere to visit this isn't the norm🤗

Book a visit today if you're coming to Visit Bergen 🇧🇻

13/08/2026

I went from David Attenborough to Hannibal Lector!🤣💀