El uso de productos del reino mineral en la terapéutica del siglo XVI. El libro de los Medicamentos simples de Juan Fragoso (1581) y el Antidotario de Juan Calvo (1580)

Abstract

This work aims to approach us the use of "mineral products" in medicine during 16^th and 17^th centuries. To have an idea about the use of minerals in daily practice, we have studied Juan Fragoso's Libro de los medicamentos simples (1581), and Juan Calvo's Antidotario (1580). We have also checked the presence of these substances in Dioscorides Materia medica, version of Andres Laguna, and the Diccionario de Autoridades. In addition, but not exhaustively, we have followed the used of these products in medicine until the present. This work proves the medical application of about half a hundred of mineral products, the use of which, was coommon in metallurgy, in paintings and vernishes manufacture, in ceramics, in dying industry, etc. However, the physicians of those times, such as Fragoso and Calvo were careful when applying mineral substances due to their great toxicity.