This rare find from the early 1900s is a leather apothecary or medicine case with three glass vials, made by (who we believe to be) Becton-Dickinson & Co. - est. 1897 & still in operation.

B-D (seen on the button) is a common vintage logo for the company. There are makers marks on the bottom of each of the vials with "B....& Co".

I was told this was a whiskey pouch and each vial was for shots....but...given that this was found in Western North Carolina, and in the late 19th/early 20th Century this area was renowned for it's fresh air - good for recovery, this could have been used for some sort of tuberculosis treatment or other ailment related to respiratory issues. The wealthy flocked to WNC around that time period to escape the polluted larger cities & believed the fresh mountain air helped contribute to the healing of respiratory issues.

Given its age and use the leather is cracking and torn in some places. The glass vials however are in great shape, just need some cleaning. Please review the photos.