Bezoar stone from a camel, 1601-1800

Made:
1601-1800 in Algeria
Pale green oval bezoar stone from a camel, possibly Algerian Left hand side, A635027

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Pale green oval bezoar stone from a camel, possibly Algerian
Science Museum Group
© The Board of Trustees of the Science Museum

Left hand side, A635027
Science Museum Group Collection
© The Board of Trustees of the Science Museum

Pale green oval bezoar stone from a camel, possibly Algerian, 1601-1800

Bezoar stones are found in the stomachs and intestines of animals and humans. They are made from things that cannot be digested in the body, such as hair, and fibres from fruit and vegetables. The bezoar stone on the left is from the stomach of a camel that probably lived in Algeria. It was believed that bezoar stones could counteract any poison. They were also used to treat fevers and prevent miscarriages. Bezoar stones are still used in some medical traditions as part of treatments for illness. It is shown here with a bezoar stone from an unknown animal (A635026).

Details

Category:
Ethnography and Folk Medicine
Collection:
Sir Henry Wellcome's Museum Collection
Object Number:
A635027
Materials:
calculus
Measurements:
overall: 32 mm x 54 mm x 45 mm, 0.05kg
type:
bezoar stone