Lapis Spongia, c1745-1807

Description

Glass jar containing specimens of concretions from sponges. From the Burges Collection.

Text on paper labels reads ‘Catal. Mat. Med. p. 117, no. 81’ and ‘LAPIS SPONGIA’.

Pomet, in his Compleat History of Druggs, says that ‘The Spunge-Stone is found in those Places where Spunges are found, and is made of the Matter of Spunges petrified or harden’d. Schroder saith, that it also grows in Spunges, and is a brittle Stone, white or grey. It is attenuating without much Heat, and is good to break the Stone in the Kidneys and Bladder, and to discuss Tumours of the King’s Evil, being drunk every Morning in Urine, or in Wine, with Sal Gem and Tartar. The levigated Powder absorbs Acids, destroys the Matter breeding the Stone and Gout, cures Heart-burnings, and violent Pains in the Stomach.’