Sandford Jackson’s magnificent travelling chest

By Gertrude Behan

Let me introduce you to a beautiful and intriguing exhibit in the museum, the exquisite and meticulously made travelling medical chest circa 1880.

Dr Ann Jackson was always fascinated with this travelling medical chest, once belonging to her great grandfather Dr Ernest Sandford Jackson. As a child she explored it often when visiting her father, Dr Robert Jackson at his Medical Rooms in Wickham St, Brisbane.

Ann remembers her excitement in discovering a hidden compartment which she believes is for the hidden storage of narcotics. 

This travelling medical chest was made in the UK, travelled to the Antipodes, and came into the possession of Dr Ernest Sandford Jackson. 

Dr Ernest Sandford Jackson brought this medical chest with him when he served in the Middle East in WW1. I suspect many soldiers were very grateful for that narcotics compartment. 

Many of you will know Dr Ernest Sandford Jackson as a visionary who lobbied the Queensland Government to establish its first medical school. Some believe that Dr Ernest Sandford Jackson’s greatest contribution to Queensland health was his advocacy of public health measures such as measures to reduce mosquitos and instigating an investigation into the cause of lead poisoning, which, interestingly was shut down in 1922 by the Master Painters Guild.

Another of Dr Ernest Sandford Jackson’s public health suggestions which may raise an eyebrow or two in 2022 was that syphilis should not only be a notifiable disease, but that patients with syphilis should be prevented from marrying.

I am very grateful to Dr Ann Jackson for taking the time to come into the Museum and introduce me to her great grandfather’s exquisite travelling medical chest and share personal family stories.