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Pila Cervina, c1745-1807

© 2021 Royal Pharmaceutical Society

Description

Glass jar containing ‘pila cervina’. From the Burges Collection.

Text on paper labels reads ‘Catal. Mat. Med. p. 129, no. 100’ and ‘PILA CERVINA’.

Described by John Hill in his History of the Materia Medica as ‘the ball from a deer’s stomach’ and being ascribed similar cordial and anti-poison properties as the bezoar, without ‘having the least Title to any real Praise of this Kind.’

In Harrod’s catalogue the pila cervina is listed in the section on algae.