Reading about ancient medicine can give you a certain feeling of amusement that is usually accompanied by cringe. When it comes to poison remedies used in the past, there are some ideas that are although imperfect, they are quite understandable.
However, there are also some that are definitely cringe-worthy. Below are just a few ancient remedies that were used to treat posion:
Unicorn's Horn
Unicorn horn or an alicorn is considered one of the most common remedies used way back in history. Different healing powers have been attributed to this object, making it so popular that it was even considered as a very expensive remedy.
Bezoar Stone
Bezoar as a word, means antidote. However, bezoar is merely indigestible solid lumps that came from animal's gastrointestinal tracts. These things are typically found in wild goats.
According to sources, bezoar stones were hung around the neck so they can easily be placed on drinks to clear the poison. Needless to say, using bezoar stone to treat poisoning is useless and ineffective.
Brandy
TV dramas depicting historical medicine often show brandy being used in treating poisoning. Since brandy is often associated to relieving emotional and even physical distress, it makes sense if people think that brandy can heal other conditions as well.
Nonetheless, it is worth keeping in mind that brandy won't help treat a poison victim. It is an old belief that has become obsolete for a reason.
Chalice
Drinking from a chalice was also believed to help in treating a poison victim. The chalice is typically made with antimony metal. This component usually induces vomiting when a slightly acidic drink is poured in it and ingested.
However, even though it is good to induce vomiting to remove toxins, antimony is also a toxic material. A gram of ingested antimony is actually fatal when ingested.
So even though the 'idea' behind this cure is somewhat intelligent, there are better vomit inducing alternatives in the present.
Clay
Ingesting clay is probably one of the most practical discoveries for treating poisoning. The idea here is to use clay to trap the toxins.
This method is actually behind the use of activated charcoal in the modern days. Ingesting charcoal allows for toxins to be trapped before the body absorbs them.
It's worth noting though that charcoal treatment can only be effective if administered soon enough.
These historical remedies to poisoning may be both interesting and weird, but these techniques have been left in the past for obvious reasons. If you are to first aid a poison victim, don't search for goats or brandies. Instead call for help and be observant of the victim's latest activities (ingestion, intakes).
