Dear Robin,
 
     I may be sending you on a total wild goose chase - but 'Nux vomica'
     was a term used to describe the nut from the fruit of an East Indian
     Tree *Strychnos Nux-vomica*. Extracts from the tree were used to
     produce strychnia.
 
     The Oxford English Dictionary uses the term 'Nux vomicise' to describe
     the process of infusing the 'Nux vomica' into something, usually salt
     for use as a purge.
 
     Maybe your 'Nuxated Iron' is an iron compound that has been 'Nux
     vomicised'
 
     I have passed your question onto the History of Medicine Library at
     the Royal Australian College of Physicians. If I hear anything back I
     will drop you a line.
 
     Cheer Kieran
 
     *********************
 
     Kieran Hosty
     Australian National Maritime Museum
     email: [log in to unmask]
 
 
______________________________ Reply Separator _________________________________
Subject: "Nuxated Iron"
Author:  HISTORICAL ARCHAEOLOGY <[log in to unmask]> at -Internet
Date:    21/11/96 6:30 AM
 
 
Quick question for the list:
 
Recovered from a ca. 1900-1920 cabin foundation is a small vial about
13cm/4" in height, with cork still in situ, with embossing around the
body, near the shoulder, that reads "NUXATED IRON".  Let alone the
literature, I can't even find this word in a dictionary!  Any clues?
suggestions?
 
Robin Mills ([log in to unmask])
Univ. of Alaska Fairbanks