Goa Stones (Burges Collection of Materia Medica, late 1700s)

Richard Bradley, A Course of Lectures, Upon the Materia Medica, Antient and Modern…, 1730

It consists of Hyacinths, Topazes, Sapphires, Rubies, and Pearls, an Ounce of each; the Emeralds Half an Ounce; oriental Bezoar, white and red Coral, of each two Ounces; Musk and Ambergrease, each two Ounces; Leaves of Gold, to the Number of forty: These must be levigated into a fine impalpable Powder, and with Rose-water made into a Paste.

Invented by Jesuit priests in Goa, these stones were artificial versions of bezoars – lumps of matter found in the stomachs of various animals and prized for their ability to counteract poisons. Due to high demand for bezoars many counterfeit versions appeared on the market, however Goa stones were a more respected alternative that were believed to have the same healing properties, and not just a cheap knock-off. In fact, recipes for Goa stones contained precious stones and gold leaf.