Lapis Aetites, c1745-1807

Description

Glass jar containing Lapis Aetites, the Eagle Stone. From the Burges Collection.

Text on paper contents labels reads ‘Catal. Mat. Med. p. 138 no. 29.’ and ‘LAP. AETITES’.

Pomet, in his Compleat History of Druggs, says scathingly that ‘It were to be wish’d that the Virtues attributed to the Eagle-Stone were as certain as they are considerable; Authors affirming that it facilitates the Birth, if tied to the Thigh of a Woman in Labour, and that it hinders Miscarriages if tied to the Arm; they believe that reduc’d to Powder, and mix’d in a Cerate, it lessens the Paroxysms, or Fits of the Epilepsy, if apply’d to the Head’.