Constantine Rhodocanaces came to England sometime in the 17th century from the Greek isle of Chios. He seems to have been an alchemist of sorts, brewing up medicine in a Physicall Laboratory in London, next door to the Three Kings-Inne. I know this because it says so right on the cover of a booklet he published in 1663. A booklet that I now have. Not a copy, not a facsimile, but the original!

I have a penchant for unusual historical items, especially if they deal with chemistry or pseudoscience. My interest is aroused even more if these two coalesce. That is just the case for Rhodocanacess publication about Spirit of Salt of the World, his wonder product. I came across a reference to this epic when I was doing some research for my own recent book, A Grain of Salt, which also deals with chemistry and pseudoscience. When I saw that Spirit of Salt of the World was available from an antique book dealer, I jumped, and I now am the proud owner of this wonderful little relic.

The first word that strikes your eye as you peruse the cover is ALEXICACUS, which is Greek for averter of evil. And that is just what Spirit of Salt of the World promises to do: avert all sorts of evil diseases, from scurvy and inflammation of the feet to kidney stones and the French Disease. Rhodocanaces enlightens the reader that he works in a lab Where all manner of Chymicall preparations are carried on without any Sophistication or abuses whatsoever. This is where his Spirits of Salt of the World is now Philosophically prepared and purified from all hurtful or Corroding Qualities, far beyond anything yet known to the World, being both safe and pleasant for the use of all Men, Women and Children. In those days, sophistication meant deception, and when today we would say scientifically in 17th century England the equivalent term was philosophically. While there certainly was science involved in preparing the product, there was also a dose of deception.

So, what was Spirit of Salt of the World? Spirit of salt is an old term for hydrochloric acid. And that is what Rhodocanaces was peddling and claiming that it was a virtual panacea. Hydrochloric acid was well known at the time, having been discovered some 800 years earlier by the alchemist Jabir ibn Hayyan, who produced it by mixing salt with sulphuric acid. Hayyan is also credited with having discovered that distillation of a solution of a mineral we now know as iron sulphate heptahydrate yields sulphuric acid.

Rhodocanaces was not the first to use hydrochloric acid as medicine, but he did claim that his product was superior to others. Ordinary Spirit of Salt, he said, was outright dangerous. He writes about hearing from the Right Worshipfull Thomas Middleton, apparently a trustworthy nobleman, that not long since a sick person making use of the common Spirit of Salt bought at the Apothecaries, died upon the taking of it. Having been so informed, charity towards my Neighbour commandeth me to make publick that hereafter greater caution may be had in using the vulgar Corrosive Spirit of Salt, instead whereof I make publick this, which is most innocent, and healthful, as may be seen in the following testimonies.

And there are testimonies galore. Mrs. Bird gave some of Rhodocanacess acid to her children who were troubled with worms, which it presently killd and brought away. A man sick of an inveterate Head-ach, which afflicted him at certain times every day, having been left by Physicians, and in opinion near death, did after purgation once and again prescribed, make use of this Spirit of Salt for the space of a week and was thereby suddenly and strangely recovered. Strange indeed.

There is more. Rhodocanacess concoction procures a good appetite and prevents putrefaction of anything in the Stomak, prevents Drunkennesse and sickness therefrom, expels diseases that arise from corrupted blood, by purifying it, that lay before idle, and settled in the veins, and makes it volatile, and to proceed more regularly in its circulation. It also keeps arteries from all filth, or slime, and sends away the water that lurks betwixt the skin and flesh, by Stool and Urine.

Of course, only the original will work. There are some who pretend to make this Spirit according to my preparation, wherefore I think good to let the world know, that as yet this Secret hath not been communicated to any.

Why do I find this booklet so fascinating? Because it could have been written today. All you have to do is substitute Spirit of Salt with the name of one of the current outlandish products that some maverick blogger, doctor, naturopath or chiropractor is making available despite the efforts of Big Pharma to muffle the sales. The desperate and the worried-well are enticed with the same type of testimonials, smearing of competing products, besmirching of conventional medicine and secret breakthroughs as featured in my centuries-old document. Of course, all these claims should be taken with a grain of salt. Plus a change, plus cest la mme chose.

joe.schwarcz@mcgill.ca

Joe Schwarcz is director of McGill Universitys Office for Science & Society (mcgill.ca/oss). He hosts The Dr. Joe Show on CJAD Radio 800 AM every Sunday from 3 to 4 p.m.

See the rest here:
The Right Chemistry: Cure-all claims have a long history - Montreal Gazette