Exploring Medicines
Discover how a variety of medicinal preparations have been made through the centuries and the essential pharmaceutical equipment used.
Moschus Russicus, c1745-1807
Glass jar containing specimen of musk pod of the Siberian Musk Deer used to treat hysteria, epilepsy and tetanus. From the Burges Collection. Text on ...
Moschus Sinensis, c1745-1807
Glass jar containing specimen of musk pod of the Siberian Musk Deer which was used to treat hysteria, epilepsy and tetanus. From the Burges Collection. ...
Mummified Human Hand (Burges Collection of Materia Medica, late 1700s)
Genuine human mummy was highly sought after by apothecaries for use in their medicines. Mummified fingers were particularly recommended for treating bruises.
Mummified Human Jaw Bone with Teeth (Burges Collection of Materia Medica, late 1700s)
Human mummies became so popular for use in medicine that bodies would be covered in bitumen and passed off as genuine mummies. Although their healing ...
Mylabris Cichorii, c1745-1807
Glass specie jar containing Chinese blistering beetles (Mylabris cichorii or Mylabris sidae). From the Burges Collection. Text on paper contents label reads ‘Catal. mat. med. ...
Nidi Alcedinis Indicae, c1745-1807
Glass specie jar containing specimens of Indian kingfisher nest. From the Burges Collection. Text on paper label reads ‘Catal. mat. med. p. 128. No. 89. Nidi Alcedinis ...
Nuces Areca, c1745-1807
Glass jar containing seeds. From the Burges Collection. Label on side of jar :NUCES ARECA. Label on neck of jar :Catal. Mat. Med. p. 63 no. 17.
Okiau, c1745-1807
Glass jar containing Okiau, described as a Chinese medicine said to be made from the skin of wild apes. From the Burges Collection.
Os e Corde Cervi, c1745-1807
Glass specie jar containing specimens of bone from the heart of a stag. From the Burges Collection. Text on paper contents label reads ‘Catal. mat. ...
Ossa Fossilia, c1745-1807
Glass jar containing four specimens of unidentified fossilised bone. From the Burges Collection. Text on paper labels reads ‘Catal. Mat. Med. p. 143, no. 76’ and ‘OSSA ...