Apothecary Jars, Autoclave & Rufus Lyman

Apothecary jars were very typical in early pharmacies in Arizona for storing the wets and drys for dispensing or prescription preparation. Many jars are ornately decorated with gold labels, while others have paper labels. For early pharmacies, these jars were a safe and effective way to maintain drugs. Today, of course, almost all medicines are prepackaged from the manufacturer.

This brass and copper object  is an old autoclave, used to disinfect instruments. As you can see, the door retracts on a track. As steam is applied to the autoclave, the steam pressure seals the door shut.

In a small display room is a bust of Dr. Rufus Lyman, the first dean and founder of the College of Pharmacy at the University of Arizona. Dr. Lyman was a physician and educator, and he is responsible for founding the College of Pharmacy at the University of Nebraska as well.