William Clayton Ross established his well known Colonial Dispensary, at the corner of Queen and Frederick Streets, Port-of-Spain, around 1846. The business soon became one of the best chemist's shops in the island, and was known for its regular updates of stock.During the cholera epidemic of 1854, the firm did quite well, as desperate citizens beat down its doors looking for miracle remedies for the scourge, not realising that contaminated water was the cause.
A popular feature of the store in the late 19th century was an innovative mechanical scale, which for a penny not only told one's weight, but also, when the patron stepped off, dispensed a little slip with the person's fortune.The firm incorporated many modern concepts of the pharmacy trade which differentiated it from the old apothecary and chemists' shops, not to mention the time-honoured practice of dispensing bush medicine, which almost every Trinbagonian knows with the precision of a biochemist.
Not only were medical tests done on site, but the stock included confectionery, perfumes, surgical instruments and groceries. They also had a dispenser resident in the building who was in 1904 A J Taitt, a local man. The electric bell at the gate could summon the druggist at any hour, which really shows that the concept of the 24-hour pharmacy is not new.
Ross and Co was unique among chemist's shops in that they stocked live leeches for medical purposes. In the 19th century, blood-letting was still a popular medical practice which, ironically, could further weaken a patient by inducing haemorrhage. The saliva of leeches is an anti-coagulant, making them invaluable for the surgical re-attachment of severed appendages. Leeches were quite expensive and required specialist application.
The store boasted a soda fountain, which was an ornate brass affair, dispensing "health-giving" mineral waters. Coca-Cola, initially called Dr Pemberton's Coca Wine, was first sold as a health beverage in this format.Ross and Co catered for clients in the deep countryside. A credit account could be opened in the store and thereafter, orders could be sent in via post or telegram to be filled and collected at the nearest railway station. Country orders were always carefully packed in sawdust to avoid breakage of fragile bottles.
Homeopathic and herbal remedies were sold by the establishment, including many patent medicines.Patent medicines were a fad of the 19th century health obsession and were really nothing more than brandy mixed with a few aromatic herbs. They were accorded almost miraculous properties, being able to cure baldness, kidney disease and even impotence.
In 1919, the store was purchased by Albert Victor Stollmeyer, a wealthy cocoa planter. Stollmeyer expanded the premises to include a separate entry for the dispensary, and a department to sell pesticides, veterinary chemicals and gardening seeds and tools. The 1920s were rough years for the pharmacy business, since many new competitors emerged on the scene like Traverso & Govia, Alfred Phillips and Co, and Boland's.
The firm still survives in the form of Ross Budget Drugs Ltd.
