Browse Artefacts (885 total)

Spirit of Terebinth, labelled by Sir Stuart Threipland in his medicine chest as ‘Spt Terebinth’.

Terebinth (pistacia terebinthus; turpentine tree) refers to both the terebinth tree and the resin it produces, now known as turpentine. Spirit of…

Tincture of English Crocus, labelled by Sir Stuart Threipland in his medicine chest as ‘Tin Croc:Anglic’.

English crocus was used alongside rhubarb as an effective eighteenth- and nineteenth-century laxative, but English crocus powder could…

Tincture of Cantharides, labelled by Sir Stuart Threipland in his medicine chest as ‘Ti Canth’.

Cantharidin (Cantharides, Cantharis, Cantharid) refers to substances produced by the Lytta (formerly Cantharis) Vesicatoria beetle (Spanish Fly;…

Powdered Peruvian Bark (Cinchona), labelled by Sir Stuart Threipland in his medicine chest as ‘Pul C: Peruvia’.

When mixed with milk, water or wine, powdered Peruvian bark created a drink which relieved pain and fevers. This will have been…

Tincture of Myrrh, labelled by Sir Stuart Threipland in his medicine chest as ‘Ti Myrrh’. Myrrh is a resin extracted from commiphora habessinica, here combined with liquid to make an infusion. Tinctures of myrrh were used as astringents and…

Infusion of Crocus Mettalorum, labelled by Sir Stuart Threipland in his medicine chest as ‘In. Croc: Metal’.

Crocus Mettalorum (Crocus of Antimony; Liver of Antimony) was a strong purgative used to induce vomiting. An infusion of crocus…