THE APOTHECARY’S

The first mention of a hospital apothecary in the kingdom of France dates back to the 13th century. From the outset, those practising this activity were organised into a trade guild and came under the supervision of municipal and royal powers. Regulations covered both the preparation and dispensing of medicines and the training and appointment of members of the community. The profession grew considerably in the 17th and 18th centuries.

When we think of an apothecary’s, we think of the “front” room when, in fact, it consists of several rooms: a laboratory, a backroom and a dispensary.

The first apothecary in Nuits dates from the early 18th century and was probably in a building not far from the Saint-Laurent ward.

At the request of Dr Chapuis, the administrative commission decided to move it on August 31, 1813. The old building was in such a state of disrepair that it was affecting the storage of remedies. So it was moved to its current location: the ground floor of the administrative building.

Due to a lack of resources, it was only at the beginning of 1821 that the hospital financed the fine woodwork that can still be admired in the dispensary. This includes low cupboards called apothecary cabinets, with shelves and 57 drawers and compartments for storing frequently used remedies. The upper shelves, called “poudriers”, are for the typical apothecary’s jars made of glass, wood or glazed earthenware. The centre of the dispensary is dominated by the counter: a marble table fitted with various drawers in which were stored commonplace drugs or instruments.