Algarot
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Algarot, also known as powder of algaroth, algarel, or antimonious oxychloride (SbOCl), is a white emetic powder formerly used in alchemy that consists of a compound of trichloride and trioxide of antimony. It was used as an emetic because it purges violently both upwards and downwards.
Historically, algarot was prepared of butter of antimony (antimony trichloride), which was no more than the regulus of that mineral, dissolved in acids, and separated again by means of several lotions with lukewarm water, which absorbed those acids. By collecting all the lotions and evaporating two third parts, what remained was a very acid liquor, called "Spirit of Philosophical Vitriol".
It was also called mercurius vitæ ("mercury of life"), or simply emetic powder.
This article incorporates content from the 1728 Cyclopaedia, a publication in the public domain.
[edit] External links
José Rodríguez have published a complete study devoted to the commercial network of chemical medicines developed by Vittorio Algarotti (1553-1604):
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