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Spirit of Vitriol

American History Museum

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International media Interoperability Framework
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    Object Details

    Description

    This square–shaped blown and molded glass bottle has a heart–shaped glass stopper that is not original to the bottle. The white oval enamel cartouche is marked with the alchemical symbols for spirits and vitriol. The jar would have contained Spiritus Vitrioli, Spirits of Vitriol, or Vitriolic Acid. Spiritus Vitrioli is diluted sulfuric acid that was used topically as a caustic or internally as an astringent or tonic. The jar is illustrated on page 26 in the Squibb Ancient Pharmacy Catalogue.

    Location

    Currently not on view

    Credit Line

    Gift of American Pharmaceutical Association and Bristol-Myers Squibb Company

    date made

    17th-18th century

    ID Number

    1991.0664.0373

    catalog number

    M-05522

    accession number

    1991.0664

    collector/donor number

    SAP 234

    catalog number

    1991.0664.0373.01
    1991.0664.0373.02

    Object Name

    bottle

    Other Terms

    bottle; Pharmaceutical Container

    Physical Description

    glass (overall material)
    paint (overall material)

    Measurements

    overall: 16 cm x 7.2 cm x 7.6 cm; 6 5/16 in x 2 27/32 in x 3 in

    Related Publication

    Urdang, George and Ferdinand William Nitardy. The Squibb Ancient Pharmacy: A Catalogue of the Collection

    See more items in

    Medicine and Science: Medicine
    Health & Medicine
    European Apothecary
    Art

    Data Source

    National Museum of American History

    Subject

    Pharmacy

    Metadata Usage

    CC0

    Link to Original Record

    https://n2t.net/ark:/65665/ng49ca746aa-b236-704b-e053-15f76fa0b4fa

    Record ID

    nmah_993772

    Discover More

    Handheld microscope with wooden handle.

    Glass Apothecary Containers

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