The floors were deep with plaster and glass, shelving was toppled, and heavy wooden counters broken. Amidst this disarray pharmacists gave first aid to the injured who came to the drug stores seeking care almost immediately following one of the worst disasters in Canadian history, the Halifax Explosion.

Dispensing Aid tells the stories of druggists in the aftermath of the Halifax Explosion, the care they provided, their narrow escapes and the unexpected roles they played. The common medications of a hundred years ago are identified and their usage described. Photographs of corner drug store promotions, century old prescriptions and medication bottles add to this book's unique perspective of an unforgettable time in Halifax's history.

Mary MacCara grew up in Plainfield, Nova Scotia, and graduated from Dalhousie University with a BSc (Pharm) degree in 1974. After completing a pharmacy residency program and working as a pharmacist in both community and hospital settings in Halifax, she moved to Minneapolis where she was awarded a Pharm D from the University of Minnesota in 1978. Mary returned to Halifax and served as a faculty member at the College of Pharmacy, Dalhousie University for 34 years.

Mary E. MacCara's profile page