Spongia Usta, c1745-1807

Glass jar containing specimens of burnt sponge (Euspongia officinalis). From the Burges Collection.

Text on paper labels reads ‘Catal. Mat. Med. p. 117. No. 73’ and ‘SPONGIA USTA’.

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.’