Ungula Alcis

17th century

Wooden drug jars are rare. In the Squibb Ancient Pharmacy Catalogue George Urdang notes in the <i>Squibb Ancient Pharmacy Catalogue</i> that the inscription placed just below the lid dates this object to the 17th century. The label reads “Ungula Alcis”, which is elk’s hoof. This wooden drug jar would originally have contained powdered elk’s hoof to prevent seizures from epilepsy. Some suffers wore a piece of elks hoof around their neck.