Mysterious objects

While we were (and in fact still are!) systematically indexing the museum's extensive collection we have come across many already documented and well known items. Still, once in a while, with some of the objects, we discover that their function in the context of a historical pharmacy remains unclear. We would be grateful for any advice or clues!
 
Dr. Oswald Peer

Verein recipe!

Adlerbrückengasse 4

I-39042 Brixen

contact@pharmaziemuseum.it
 

Solved case

Dr Dean Nuss wrote:
A similar object is in the Museo Galileo. It is described as follows:

Armature of a magnet. Natural magnets were often ‘armoured’, i.e. they were wrapped in iron bands arranged in a particular way to increase their attractive force. In modern terms, the bands concentrate the magnetic field lines. The technique of arming magnets to concentrate magnetic force dates back to the 16th century and is described by William Gilbert (1544-1603) in De Magnete (London, 1600)

Gelöste Fälle

Prof. Dr. Marcus Plehn aus Brackenheim (D) schrieb uns:

"Bei den abgebildeten braunen Haaren handelt es sich zweifelsfrei um die Farnkrautwolle, die um die Jahrhundertwende unter dem Namen Penghawar Djambi als Hämostyptikum Verwendung fand. Die auch unter dem Synonym "Skythisches Lamm (Agnus scythicus)" bekannte Droge stammt(e) aus Indonesien. Botanisch handelt es sich um die Streuhaare der Farnpflanze Cibotium barometz aus der Familie der Cyatheaceae."