Glass of antimony

Glass of antimony, vitrum antimonii, is a transparent glass created from a preparation of antimony, historically used as an emetic. It was created using crude antimony, ground and calcined by a vehement fire, in an earthen crucible, until it no longer fumed, indicating that its sulfur was evaporated. The remaining substance (calx) was then vitrified in a wind furnace, upon which it became transparent, ruddy, and shining.

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It has been considered the strongest emetic of any preparation of antimony. Yet, if dissolved in spirit of urine, it ceased to be either emetic or cathartic.

See also

• antimonial
• antimonial cup