POLYCHR

18th century

This wide–mouth blown glass jar has an applied foot. The jar is decorated with a white oval cartouche capped with a three-pointed crown. The baked enamel label is marked with the alchemical symbols for powder and salt and <i>POLYCHR.</i> Sal polychrestum is known as the salt of many virtues. A compound of tartrate and potash, it was used as a plaster to treat coughs and lung diseases. The remedy was developed by Christopher Glaser (about 1615–1676) a Swiss apothecary to the court of Louis XIV.