Glass of antimony explained

Glass of antimony, vitrum antimonii, is a yellow to red, translucent glass created from a preparation of antimony, though historically used as an emetic, the glass was a subject of much interest from alchemists due to its unusual properties. 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 (antimony trioxide) was then vitrified in a wind furnace, and stirred with an iron rod, upon which it became translucent and displayed a ruddy and shining yellow-red color.[1] [2]

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.[3]

See also

Notes and References

  1. Werner's Bereitung des Vitrum antimonii im Großen . 1838 . 67 . CXVIII . 446–448 . Anyonymus . Polytechnisches Journal . 2012-01-31 . 2012-06-14 . https://web.archive.org/web/20120614103948/http://dingler.culture.hu-berlin.de/article/pj067/ar067118 . dead .
  2. Book: Valentine, Basil. The Triumphal Chariot of Antimony: With the Commentary of Theodore Kerkringus. Holmes Pub Group Llc. 93, 94, 95, 96.
  3. Book: Boyle, Robert. The Philosophical Works of the Honourable Robert Boyle: Abridged ..., Volume 3. W. and J. Innys. 1725. 569, 570.