Antimony pill
Antimony Pill
Antimony pill (pronunciation: /ænˈtɪməni pɪl/) is a type of medication that was historically used in the treatment of various ailments.
Etymology
The term "antimony pill" originates from the Latin word "antimonium", which refers to the chemical element antimony. The word "pill" is derived from the Latin "pilula", meaning a small ball, which is a reference to the shape of the medication.
Usage
Antimony pills were commonly used in the 17th and 18th centuries as a form of purgative medicine. The pill was made from a small piece of metallic antimony, which was swallowed and later retrieved from the body to be used again. The ingestion of antimony was believed to induce vomiting and purging, thereby cleansing the body of harmful substances.
Related Terms
- Antimony: A chemical element with the symbol Sb (from Latin: stibium) and atomic number 51. It was the primary component of antimony pills.
- Purgative: A type of medication that stimulates evacuation of the bowels. Antimony pills were used as a purgative.
- Emetic: A substance that induces vomiting. Antimony, used in antimony pills, has emetic properties.
Health Risks
Modern medicine has since discontinued the use of antimony pills due to the toxic effects of antimony on the human body. Long-term exposure to antimony can lead to antimony poisoning, which can cause a variety of health problems including skin irritation, lung diseases, and heart problems.
See Also
External links
- Medical encyclopedia article on Antimony pill
- Wikipedia's article - Antimony pill
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