Cachet Assembly Jig

Accession #: 2010058

Description: This was probably manufactured in the 1950s. The cachets produced by its use might have contained PAS and INAH for the treatment of tuberculosis. The wooden case is functional but appears not to have been professionally constructed. The lid of the case is retained using a plastic sprung catch.The jig caters for 3 sizes of cachet. The hinged jig had 3 leaves. The bottom leaf bears raised pushers for disengaging the assebled cachets. The middle leaf has holes that interface with the pushers when lying flat against the botom plate. There is a swivelling prop that permits the middle plate to be raised from the base sufficient to be loaded with half cachets. Each half-cachet would then be loaded with the dose of drug using a funnel which is missing from the kit. The top plate matches the middle plate except that the edges of the holes are slightly bevelled. It is loaded with the cover half-caches, their edges being then moistened with water using the felt roller. The jig is then closed, approximating the two halves of the caches which, being made of rice paper, bond together. The finished caches are then expelled by lowering the middle plate, having first disengaged the prop. The box also contains some of the components of a single cachet assembly device. This bears a French maker's mark. Professor Terry Turner obtained this device from a technician who had once worked for a small, specialist dispensing laboratory in the Cardiff area. The company closed and this device was acquired.

Dimensions:

Acquired: 26/07/2010