Spongia (jan 1, 1850 – jan 1, 1950)

Description:

Spongia is a treatment made from a seas sponge to treat breathing issues and cough. The first image is of a mended spongia bottle from the nineteenth century. The second image is a bottle which likely dates to the twentieth century, complete with homeopathic faunal (plant) remains, a brush, and cork fragment.

In addition to sea sponge, Irish moss was also used to treat irritation of the throat and lungs. In the 1881 Appledore Cook Book by Maria Parloa, an Irish immigrant and chef at the Appledore Resort on Appledore Island of the Isle of Shoals, just off the Portsmouth coast. Parloa was one of the founding instructors of the highly influential Boston Cooking School.