Arare (food)

A historical medical device used for its supposed health benefits

Antimonial Cup

An antimonial cup is a historical medical device that was used in the past for its purported health benefits. These cups were made from antimony, a metalloid element, and were believed to have medicinal properties when used to prepare drinks.

History

The use of antimonial cups dates back to the Middle Ages and continued into the 18th century. They were particularly popular in Europe, where they were used by both laypeople and physicians. The cups were made by casting antimony into the shape of a drinking vessel.

Mechanism of Action

The supposed health benefits of the antimonial cup were based on the belief that antimony had purgative properties. When a liquid, such as wine or water, was left in the cup for a period of time, it was thought to absorb small amounts of antimony. Drinking this liquid was believed to induce vomiting or purging, which was considered beneficial for treating various ailments according to the humoral theory of medicine.

Usage

To use an antimonial cup, a person would fill it with a liquid and let it sit for several hours or overnight. The liquid would then be consumed, with the expectation that it would act as a purgative. This practice was based on the idea that purging the body of excess humors could restore balance and health.

Decline in Use

The use of antimonial cups declined with the advent of modern medicine and a better understanding of the toxic effects of antimony. By the late 18th and early 19th centuries, the practice had largely fallen out of favor as more effective and safer treatments became available.

Related pages

• Antimony
• Humoral theory
• History of medicine

Gallery

• 

  Various antimonial cups

• 

  Captain Cook's antimonial cup

• 

  Antimonial cup in Boerhaave Museum

• 

  Hina Arare in Katori City, Japan

• 

  Arare

• 

  Peanut Arare

• 

  Items for sale in Asakusa