antimonial adj

1 of or containing antimony

2 containing antimony; "antimonial lead"

Antimonials, in pre-modern medicine, were remedies principally containing antimony, used chiefly for emetic purposes. They might also have qualified for cathartic, diaphoretic, or simply alterative uses. Such treatments were considered unparalleled in their strength.

References

• Antimonials.

• The following passage from Oliver Twist, published between 1837—1839, illustrates the use of the word antimonial to mean emetic in common (as well as medical) terms:

Bumble shook his head, as he replied, "Obstinate people, Mr. Sowerberry; very obstinate. Proud, too, I'm afraid, sir."

"Proud, eh?" exclaimed Mr. Sowerberry with a sneer. "Come, that's too much."

"Oh, it's sickening," replied the beadle. "Antimonial, Mr. Sowerberry!"

See also

• Antimonial cup
• Pentavalent antimonial