Lap Bufonites, c1745-1807

Description

Glass jar containing Lapides Bufonites, or Toad Stones. From the Burges Collection.

Text on paper contents labels reads ‘Catal. Mat. Med. p. 139, no. 34.’ and ‘LAP. BUFONITES’.

Toad stones were thought to come from the head of a toad, but in reality are the teeth of fossilised fish.

Pomet, in his Compleat History of Druggs, says of toad stones that ‘Some pretend, that being powder’d and taken inwardly, they are capable of resisting the Plague and other malignant Diseases; that being apply’d to the stinging or Bitings of venomous Beasts, they draw out the Poison. Some hang them about their Neck for Quartan Fevers; but all these Virtues are imaginary, for the Toad-Stone has nothing in it but an alcaline Quality, proper to absorb Acids, and to stop Looseness’.