POISONS THOUGHT TO BE MEDICINES

Ancient manuscripts, ancient arts, sculptures, architecture, literature have proved to be the store house of several valuable information. There are several inventions in our modern times which are inspired from the ancient theories. Ancient scholars similarly discovered several chemicals, metals and laid out their properties which proved useful for the preceding generation scholars and helped them in their scientific hustle. But even our ancestors have considered few chemicals to be lifesaving elixirs (a medicinal substance used to prolong the human life) whereas they proved to be one of the deadliest poisons in the world. Here are the facts about the chemicals which were used as a medicine in ancient times and their real effect on human lives.

MERCURY

In this generation, even kids are aware of the toxicity of the chemical compound Mercury. But it was used as a medicine in early times.

About 

Mercury is the only metal which is available in liquid form at room temperature. Its Atomic number is 80 has an Atomic weight of 200.59 and it is silvery-white in colour. It was initially called as the “Hydrargyrum” from which the chemical symbol of mercury was derived as “Hg’. The name ‘Mercury’ was given to the element because the fluid flowed fast and the alchemists named it after the fastest moving planet or Messenger of all Roman gods ‘Mercury’. It is located at the 12th group, 6th period in the modern periodic table and it is called as a transition metal. It was also called as Quicksilver. 

Mercury - Quicksilver

History

Mercury has been known to the ancient tribes even before 2000 B.C It was mentioned as a medicine in olden times and it was thought as the primary metal which can be used to turn any metal into gold. Mercury was mentioned early by the Greek philosopher Aristotle (384 B.C to 324 B.C) and he referred it as hydrargyrum (the Greek meaning of Hydr -liquid; Argyrum – silver) which means ‘fluid silver’. Mercury is found in large quantities in Egyptian tombs dating back to 1500 B.C

Misinterpretation as ‘medicine’ – The Fall of the ‘Great Wall’ Emperor

Qin Shi Huang is a notorious name in the history of China as he united the small Chinese territories and became its first emperor. He was also tremendously praised for his construction of the longest man-made structure in the world, ‘The Great Wall of China’. The Emperor also wanted to make an impact in the ‘Medicine’ sector as he wished to be immortal. He ordered his alchemists to prepare an elixir for him to extend his life span. And the mixture prepared by them consisted of ‘Mercury’ which eventually shortened his life time and he died of Mercury poisoning. Even his tomb, which consists of several terracotta soldiers has about 100 times higher Mercury concentration than the natural available concentration.

This incident clearly indicates that ancient Chinese believed that Mercury would provide them ‘immortality’. Other than the Chinese, even the Ancient Greek, Romans, Egyptians and Persians used Mercury as a medicinal ointment. Even in ancient India, mercury is used to treat syphilis and other diseases and experienced adverse effects as the patients died due to liver failure and poisoning effects. At that time the people thought that the cause of death was due to worsening of the initial disease. 

Other Mercury-related disasters

One of the greatest mercury poisoning occurred at Minamata Bay, Japan during 1930s to 1950s and resulted in the death of nearly 1800 people. It was considered to be one of the worst incidents in Japan.

Uses of Mercury

Mercury may have a negative impact in medicine sector but has a greater role in the following fields.

1. Manufacture of Amalgam
2. Manufacture of Mercury Lamps
3. Manufacture of Mercury bulb thermometer
4. Used in flow measurement

ANTIMONY

Antimony, one of the toxic chemicals was used by Ancient Egyptians as a cure to humoral disorders. The preparation of medicinal compounds from Antimony continued till its ban in 1970s.

About 

Antimony is a metalloid which is available in solid form at room temperature. Its Atomic number is 51 has an Atomic weight of 121.76 and it is silvery-grey in colour. It was initially named in Latin as “Stibium” from which the chemical symbol of antimony was derived as “Sb’. The name ‘Antimony’ was given to the element because the French name ‘Antimoine’ means Monk-killer, as it killed most alchemists (who were also monks) while working with it (due to toxic exposure). It is located at the 15th group, 5th period in the modern periodic table.

Antimony - Monk-killer

History

The discovery of Antimony was dated back to 3000 B.C and several evidences were found which proved the usage of Antimony by the ancient people of Egypt. It was stated that Antimony was found almost in several utensils, vases found in early Egypt. It was also used by Early Arabs as eye cosmetics.

Medicinal Usage and The Toxicity of Antimony 

Ancient Egyptians considered ingestion of the Antimony metal as a cure to the humoral disorders within their body. They also used cups made of antimony to store wine. Wine consists of tartaric acid as their primary component and this reacts with Antimony in the cup to form ‘Antimony potassium tartarate’. This compound was a powerful emetic which leads to vomiting. This compound was also used in the treatment of schistosomiasis and leishmaniasis even in 1900s. The medicinal ability of several antimony compounds was studied and some proved successful but with greater side effects. 

Uses of Antimony

There are several industrial applications of Antimony of which a few applications are given below.

Used as a flame retardant

Used along with lead (Alloy) to increase its mechanical properties 

Used in semi-conductor applications