Medical Coasters

This first aid series issued in 1913 was produced by WD and MO Wills of Bristol and London, which later became part of the Imperial Tobacco Company. These collectible cards, often referred to as “Wills cards,” were included in cigarette packs as cardboard stiffeners to protect the cigarettes, which were originally sold in flimsy paper wrapping

The cards were designed to educate the public in basic first aid techniques and were sometimes stored in medicine chests.

The series demonstrated various emergency procedures, including the proper use of a cravat and stick wrap tourniquet, folding triangular bandages, locating pressure points for bleeding, flipping upper eyelids to remove foreign bodies, and improvised litter or carry techniques.

This educational trend began in 1913 as cigarette companies shifted from colorful advertisements to more diverse topics like military progress, historic events, and first aid to encourage collecting.