Pharmacy logbook of José Sarrá's "La Reunión" Pharmacy in Havana, Cuba, 1924

File — Volume: 1

Libro de recetas del siglo XX de la farmacia 'La Reunion' en Habana, Cuba

Go to file

Scope and Contents

This large logbook records all the transactions and prescriptions made by pharmacists at La Reunión Pharmacy in Havana, Cuba from July 5 to August 14, 1924. The opening pages of the logbook contain certificates that display images of the pharmacy and list Dr. José Sarrá its founder, and his son, Dr. Ernesto Sarrá, as his successor. The certificates also state that in addition to medical products, the pharmacy also offered other products, such as industrial material, paint, and laboratory tools. The remaining pages of the logbook contain charts that record several prescriptions made by doctors in Cuba. Each page contains a chart divided into seven columns that list the prescription number, the doctor's name, the name and address of the client, the substances needed, the weight and volume of the substances, their use and price.

Dates

Creation: 1924

Language of Materials

From the Collection:

Includes materials written in English and Spanish.

Access

The collection is open for research.

Biographical / Historical

In the early twentieth century, pharmacies in Cuba were well known for being not only places where one could get their medical products, but also sites of community interaction. One of the most important pharmacies during that time in Havana was La Reunión Pharmacy, established in 1853 by Dr. José Sarrá. The pharmacy became the first to offer allopathic and homeopathic medicine, and was well known for its magnesia-based and cod-liver oil products. After the death of Dr. José Sarrá, both his wife and son, Dr. Ernesto Sarrá, took over the business and continued the legacy. The pharmacy continued in business until the Revolution in 1959. The building is currently open to the public as a museum.