|
A rare
Hungarian apothecary jar dating to the late 18th
century labelled "Pulvis Antimoni Crudi". This fine
example measuring 170 x 84 mm is in remarkably good
condition for its age. Used as an eye cosmetic
("Kohl") as early as 3000 BC Antimony is chemically similar to arsenic
and its poisonous salts have been advocated by
physicians throughout the ages for the treatment of
syphilis, herpes, leprosy, mania and epilepsy. A
common use was as an emetic and it was so potent that
wine drunk from antimony cups was used as a purgative
and the ensuing vomiting was thought to be a
therapeutic process which would rid the body of illness.
With thanks to
Dr Bulpett of Brunel University
for
analysis and confirmation of the
presence of Antimony. |