Any idea what my new toy is?

 

This morning a customer came by with a little gadget he had found while cleaning his deceased aunts home here in Salt Lake.  It is a silver plated box 2 1/2 inches tall, 1 3/4 inches wide and 1 inch deep. Inside the box is a small metal bottle with a screw on lid attached by a chain. He mentioned my affinity for pharmacological memorabilia and wondered aloud if my collection had any room for such an item????



I obviously said YES! I love it....but what is it???? Do you have any ideas?  Here is a hint.....his aunt was an Army nurse who met her future husband (an Army medic) during WWII.....have you figured it out???? Let me give you some hints.


-the bottle fits in the box when it is in use.
-above the bottle, the box is fitted with a trough that runs the length and width of the container.
-the box is stamped with 'USA MD Pioneer, New York, NY
-the box was used by the medic, not the nurse.


Have you given up yet? 


This box is a needle sterilizer used on the battlefield to ensure aseptic procedures when treating the wounded.  The bottle was filled with alcohol and ignited, it sat under the trough of about 1 tablespoon of water and when the water came to a boil, the needles were considered sterile. What a cool little gadget!