[The way for carrying medicine and its containers (VIII): "Drug information by packaging in the Edo Period (1600-1867)"].

During the early years of the Edo era, a label for a prescribed medicine was almost the same style as a patent one. Though item name and manufacturer's name were described on the label, composition of a medicine and indications were not given on it. As time goes on, a label for a patent medicine was forced to change the label design with a trademark or character mark to identify their own medicines along with marketing environment. But a label for a prescription medicine did not change in the style in conformity with the tradition.