Voltaic pile

Description First described in 1800 by Alessandro Volta (1745-1827), a voltaic pile consists of a series of zinc and cooper discs separated by conducting cards. The pile produces continuous electric…

Anthyllis vulneraria L. Fabaceae. Kidney vetch, woundwort. ‘vulneraria’ means ‘wound healer’

Description (cut and paste) ‘wort’ has been used in England since the 9th century to mean root or plant. Parkinson (1640) notes Anthylis prior and Anthyllis lentisimilis (Dodoens) Anthyllis leguminosa…

  • Zinc
  • March 7, 2023
This tablet of white chalky earth from the Milk Grotto in the holy city of Bethlehem was intended to be eaten

Description This tablet of white chalky earth from the Milk Grotto in the holy city of Bethlehem was intended to be eaten. The eating of earth sounds unusual but is…

  • Zinc
  • March 7, 2023
Embalming syringe set, London, England, 1790-1820

Description The embalming set consists of two brass syringes and accompanying accessories. It sits in a purple velvet lined wooden box. It was made between 1790 and 1820 by London-based…

A selection of apothecary jars.

Description A selection of apothecary jars. Four glass cylindrical drug jars with a parchment cover, labelled “Vitriol Alb.” (zinc sulphate), “OCUL CANCR” (Crab’s eyes – stones found in stomach of…

Advertising insert (from The Chemists’ and druggists’ diary, 1912) for Baiss Brothers & Stevenson’s cod liver oil, Othniel zinc oxide, Beechwood creosote, Copaiba Balsam, quinine and coca miscible extract

Description Advertising insert (from The Chemists’ and druggists’ diary, 1912) for Baiss Brothers & Stevenson’s cod liver oil, Othniel zinc oxide, Beechwood creosote, Copaiba Balsam, quinine and coca miscible extract.…

Apparatus (electro-physiological experiments; zinc-copper couples threaded on pincers) used in experiments on curare and its effect on nerves and muscles

Description Apparatus (electro-physiological experiments; zinc-copper couples threaded on pincers) used in experiments on curare and its effect on nerves and muscles.

  • Zinc
  • March 7, 2023
A two-dimensional female figure/nurse made of mixed media holding a limp horizontal figure made of a tube of zinc white paint with arms on a textile background bearing the letters ‘SIDA’ in each corner; advertising the danger of AIDS. Colour lithograph [by Eduardo PonjuĂĄn and RenĂ© Francisco], ca. 1995

Notes By multi-media Cuban-born artists Eduardo PonjuĂĄn and RenĂ© Francisco who work together according to similar poster found on http://fons.upv.es – Figure’s skirt is edged with a wooden ruler and…