Notes
This sweet spirits of nitre bottle comes from a larger set in the Henry family medicine chest (01.31.1).
Sweet spirits of nitre was a traditional Afrikaans medicine, also historically made by the Amish, and used to treat cold and flu symptoms. Its main ingredient is ethyl nitrite, which is typically prepared from ethanol.
It was banned by the Food and Drug Administration in the United States in the 1980s, due to its use being associated with methemoglobinemia (elevated methemoglobin in the blood). This can cause headaches, dizziness, seizures, and heart arrhythmias, and can be fatal.
The bottle has a lid (01.31.6b).
This chest and its contents belonged originally to John (1796–1868) and Elvira McClelland Henry (1808–1875) during their years at Red Hill. The chest was passed down in the family to John and Elvira's daughter, Margaret Ann Henry Miller (1827–1881), and then to her daughter, Elvira Henry Miller (1850–1955). It was then given to Rose Miller Gammon Garrett (1946–) through her father, William Miller Gammon Sr. (1900–1970). William Gammon Sr. was a nephew to Elvira Miller. His daughter, Rose Garrett, is a third great-great-granddaughter of Patrick Henry.
On September 4, 2001, Rose Gammon Garrett donated the medicine chest (01.31.1) and its contents (01.31.2-25) to the Patrick Henry Memorial Foundation.