Pongio Atro-Brun, c1745-1807

Description

Glass jar containing specimens of sponge or fungus. From the Burges Collection.

Text on paper labels reads ‘Catal. Mat. Med. p. 117. No. 78’ and ‘SPONGIO ATRO-BRUN’.

Pomet, in his Compleat History of Druggs, says that ‘The Spunge is of an alkalious Nature, and is good against Pains of the Stomach, Gripings in the Bowels, and the Colick; and is suppos’d to be a Specifick against the Stone and Gravel in the Kidneys or Bladder, or any Obstructions in the urinary Passages. The chief Use of it is either in a Powder calcined or crude.’