{"product_id":"19th-century-handwritten-medical-recipe-laudanum-antimony-apothecary-ephemera","title":"19th Century Handwritten Medical Recipe – Laudanum \u0026 Antimony – Apothecary Ephemera","description":"\u003cp data-pm-slice=\"1 1 []\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eAn unusual original handwritten medicinal recipe, likely dating to the 19th century, recording a preparation made with laudanum, antimony, gum arabic, loaf sugar, and water.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThe surviving text begins:\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003e“One ounce of laudanum\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cspan\u003eone ounce of antimony\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cspan\u003eone ounce of gum arabic\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cspan\u003eone pound of loaf sugar\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cspan\u003eone pint of water…”\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eIt continues with instructions to soak the gum in water overnight, add the sugar and bring the mixture to a boiling heat, allow it to cool, and then add the remaining ingredients.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eLaudanum was a tincture of opium widely used in 19th-century medicine. Antimony preparations were likewise common in period medical practice. Historical medical sources document mixtures combining laudanum, antimonial preparations, and gum arabic for coughs and respiratory complaints.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThe document itself does not state its intended treatment, so it is conservatively described as a medicinal recipe rather than attributed to a specific disease.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eA fascinating piece of early medical and pharmaceutical history with particular appeal to collectors of apothecary material, medical ephemera, historical manuscripts, and unusual 19th-century Americana.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eDate:\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e Likely 19th century; exact date unknown.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eMaterial:\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e Handwritten ink on paper.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eCondition:\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e Original antique condition with pronounced age toning, old folds and creasing, scattered small holes\/punctures, minor staining and edge wear. The sheet has clearly seen substantial historical handling and use. Writing remains substantially legible. No modern restoration is apparent from visual examination. Please examine all photographs carefully as they form an important part of the condition description.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eSold solely as a historical collectible. The handwritten preparation reflects obsolete historical medical practice and is not presented as medical advice or for modern preparation or use.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Collexcion ","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":67647388483827,"sku":null,"price":50.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0847\/0675\/4803\/files\/Recipevintage.jpg?v=1791213344","url":"https:\/\/collexcion.com\/products\/19th-century-handwritten-medical-recipe-laudanum-antimony-apothecary-ephemera","provider":"Collexcion ","version":"1.0","type":"link"}