Wooden drug jars are rare. In the Squibb Ancient Pharmacy Catalogue George Urdang notes in the Squibb Ancient Pharmacy Catalogue 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.
Our collection database is a work in progress. We may update this record based on further research and review. Learn more about our approach to sharing our collection online.
If you would like to know how you can use content on this page, see the Smithsonian's Terms of Use. If you need to request an image for publication or other use, please visit Rights and Reproductions.