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bags of 100 Aspirin

(106 Posts)
SORES Sat 05-Apr-25 15:32:04

Buying Paracetamol in a pack of 16, bought 2, remarked to daughter that we could buy a box of 100 Aspirin or a bag of loose 100, you know, when I was a girl.
Daughter was convinced this was not possible, I’m sure it
wasn’t a false memory.
I also remember the magic of Beechams Powders in their
separate paper packets, in a blue box, kept in a tin with plasters
and other mysterious distinctive smelling articles, in a long
blue tin with a picture of a young QEII on the front, in a sideboard drawer.

Do households still keep First Aid boxes at home?
What are the contents, are they ever applied?

Sago Tue 08-Apr-25 19:46:48

brileo

Aspirin was withdrawn in the early 80's when children became affected by Reyes Syndrome.
My son died at the age of 4 after I had given him 2 children's aspirin

How tragic, you must have been so thankful the law changed.

So sorry it was too late for your son.

Celieanne86 Tue 08-Apr-25 19:29:19

I remember the 100 aspirin in a packet, mother always had them in a cupboard in the front room, also Andrew’s liver salts which she took every day to clear out her system. Kaolin and Morphine was another favourite for tummy upsets or the runs, Fennings fever cure was to be avoided it tasted vile, but my favourite by far was 4 penny worth of Indian Brandee in a cup from the corner shop for period pains. In later years there was also in the same cupboard a small bottle of real brandy which together with a spoonful,of sugar and a drop of hot water worked wonders for the same.

brileo Tue 08-Apr-25 19:23:57

Aspirin was withdrawn in the early 80's when children became affected by Reyes Syndrome.
My son died at the age of 4 after I had given him 2 children's aspirin

Boolya Tue 08-Apr-25 19:15:30

Same here repurposed as sewing box

MaggsMcG Tue 08-Apr-25 18:32:11

I remember buying a tub of Nurafen 96 of them many years ago. I still have the pot.

Sago Tue 08-Apr-25 18:24:54

I have a comprehensive first aid box, I’m sure I could do minor surgery!

I did once fix up my Labrador’s split ear with anti bacterial swabs, skin glue and steristrips.

I used to love the smell of germolene in the little tin.

20 years ago we painted our kitchen “ointment pink”

Allira Tue 08-Apr-25 17:01:42

That doesn't trip off the tongue lightly!

mulberry7 Tue 08-Apr-25 17:00:48

Germolene has changed its name here (Ireland) to Bepantaseptic.

Mouse Tue 08-Apr-25 16:39:56

My Nan used to give Andrews Health Salts for everything. It was a standing joke that it could cure anything from a broken heart to a broken leg! She also had a large medical dictionary. She would look up our symptoms and inform the doctor what was the matter with us.

Jane43 Tue 08-Apr-25 16:30:55

Granmarderby10

Aspirin in a glass bottle with cotton wool stuffed in the neck. Don’t know why!

I also remember Junior Aspirin in a bottle like that.

Luminance Tue 08-Apr-25 16:17:50

To back myself up, the legislation was introduced in 1998 and led to a 43% reduction in overdose deaths which says what you need to know far clearer than I have articulated.

Luminance Tue 08-Apr-25 16:12:17

BlueBelle

Luminance it’s not sensible as you can walk round a pharmacy and buy your two packets walk round again and buy two more then walk into the next pharmacy and buy more

I didn't see this before but I am just catching up here. Any delay is sensible. Any chance for a member of staff to notice or report a concern. Any chance for someone to have extra time for thought or feelings to calm. Even should you disagree still it is rather better than doing nothing and having no concern at all. Also you really must remember that if the person is already at home they are less likely to simply be able to find a large amount available in a cupboard. Many do in fact change their minds and go to hospital to be saved and then find themselves with damaged organs. Again, rather better than doing nothing. Larger amounts can be obtained via prescription for those who need them for long term pain management, the rest of us need not have large amounts available in a cupboard for others to potentially access too.

Alison333 Tue 08-Apr-25 16:10:41

HowVeryDareYou2

Let's not forget Kaolin and Morphine grin

Blimey! Yes, a large brown bottle with a thick white sediment at the bottom. It was still around in the early 1980s I think. I can't believe we were merrily swigging liquid morphine for our upset tummies!

missdeke Tue 08-Apr-25 16:10:40

Dibbydod

I have two large boxes of paracetamol on doctors prescription every month as I need to take them regularly every day , along with another painkiller , for chronic pain .
I recently had full blood tests to make sure all were ok with all my medications and everything came back normal . Previously to the blood tests I were concerned about the amount of paracetamols I take but needn’t have worried .

My surgery will not prescribe paracetamol, I take it every day for chronic pain too. The NHS apparently put this restriction on prescribing them because it is cheaper to buy than pay for a prescription.

When I broke my hip they were still very reluctant to prescribe it for me, even though driving 10 miles was the only to buy it. And naturally I was not allowed to drive for a few weeks.

At least I know my surgery is being careful with the money they spend.

pinkquartz Tue 08-Apr-25 16:06:34

Back in 1972 i has a friend who died of liver. failure from too many paracetamol. we were both 17 years old. i visited her poor mum and have never forgotten her grief. they had no idea until it was too late.

Why are current doctors so fixated on prescribing these now as its not much cop for severe pain relief.

Bazza Tue 08-Apr-25 15:59:46

Does anyone remember Beecham pills, a laxative? They were little round balls, and we were given them if we had been in contact with any contagious illness as our mother believed a “good clear out” would stop us becoming ill. It seemed to work because the only childhood disease we ever had was German measles which we were encouraged to have. I can’t even remember having so much as a cold. Neat TCP for cuts and grazes which stung!

tattygran14 Tue 08-Apr-25 15:43:04

All together now…

What’s the sense of feeling ill
With Flu or a cold or chill
For relief that’s sure and quick
Beechams Powders do the trick

Luckygirl3 Tue 08-Apr-25 15:39:01

Paracetamol is dangerous stuff. I remember visiting a young man in the hospital where I worked - he had taken an overdose and seemed to be recovering. A few weeks later he died of liver failure. It is engraved on my mind.

Willow11 Tue 08-Apr-25 15:39:00

Mum always had in the medicine box 'Indian Brandy' you put it in hot water and drank for an upset stomach. Or in mums case she gave it for every illness.
Also there was 'Kali and Morphine' for diarrhea.
Germaline which was pink in a round tin.

Allira Tue 08-Apr-25 15:21:08

I don't think it contains alcohol any more.

ExDancer Tue 08-Apr-25 15:15:59

You can still get Gripe water - in the baby medication aisle at most supermarkets. It for tummy ache caused by wind, .... and it works for old ladies with wind too!

Cateq Tue 08-Apr-25 15:07:06

We have a large first aid bag, it came with one of my DH’s new cars. It had all the usual bandages and slings. Sticking plasters which were almost impossible to remove once applied, sterile wipes safety scissors and tweezers. The kids played with the bandages trying to make each other into mummies. The bag was filled in Germany I believe as I’ve never been able to find the sticking plasters here. It’s a great bag which we keep filled with medicines and other first aid supplies. Everyone knows where to find if they need plasters, germolene, tcp or ice packs. Anything dangerous is kept in a lock box with a green cross designed for medicine so the grandchildren can’t get it.

AuntieE Tue 08-Apr-25 14:56:05

Granmarderby10

Aspirin in a glass bottle with cotton wool stuffed in the neck. Don’t know why!

The cotton wool was to stop tablets rattling around and breaking up during transport, as neither bottles nor tins were filled right the way up.

I was delighted when foam rubber started being used instead, as a doctor's daughter I collected the small round pieces of foam rubber, so all my dolls had their own bath sponges.

I do have a medicine box with elastoplast, tweezers, cotton wool, bandages, a nifty gadget for removing ticks, over the counter remedies for colds, tummy upsets and the like in the house.

I don't drive, but I believe it is illegal here not to have a box with sterile dressings etc in you car if you drive. The idea being that you can assist anyone hurt in traffic until the ambulance and police arrive.

yogagran Tue 08-Apr-25 14:23:47

Anyone else remember Bile Beans. I can remember seeing the bottle but have no idea what they were or what they did

Les1950 Tue 08-Apr-25 14:22:05

It's ridiculous, u can only buy 32 paracetamol at a time. I have to go to several shops to buy them, bc my son has to have pain relief