Chemistry:Antimonial

Short description: Remedies containing antimony

Bottle marked P. Antimonial from the Auckland Museum

Antimonials, in pre-modern medicine, were remedies principally containing antimony, used chiefly for emetic purposes. They might also have qualified for cathartic, diaphoretic, or simply alternative uses. Such treatments were considered unparalleled in their strength.

Metaphorical usage

The following passage illustrates the use of the word antimonial to mean emetic in common (as well as medical) terms:

Bumble shook his head, as he replied, "Obstinate people, Mr. Sowerberry; very obstinate. Proud, too, I'm afraid, sir."
"Proud, eh?" exclaimed Mr. Sowerberry with a sneer. "Come, that's too much."
"Oh, it's sickening," replied the beadle. "Antimonial, Mr. Sowerberry!"

—Charles Dickens, Oliver Twist

See also

• Antimony pill
• Antimonial cup
• Pentavalent antimonial

External links

•  This article incorporates text from a publication now in the public domain: Chambers, Ephraim, ed (1728). "Antimonial". Cyclopædia, or an Universal Dictionary of Arts and Sciences (first ed.). James and John Knapton, et al. 
• Antimonials.

See also

• Antimonial cup
• Pentavalent antimonial