In medicine, the blue pill, also called the pilula hydrargyri, was a remedy prescribed for various ailments, particularly constipation. It contained 1/3 elemental mercury by weight, mixed with marshmallow, honey of rose, liquorice, glycerin, and inert ingredients to form pills of about 48 grains in weight.
A combination of the blue pill, and a mixture called the common black draught, was a standard cure for constipation in early 19th century England and elsewhere. It was particularly valued on ships of the Royal Navy, where sailors and officers were constrained to eat rock-hard salted beef and pork, old stale biscuits, and very little fruit, fiber, or other fresh food once they were some distance from land on a long voyage.
Famous quotes containing the words blue and/or pill:
“They said, You have a blue guitar,
You do not play things as they are.
The man replied, Things as they are
Are changed upon a blue guitar.”
—Wallace Stevens (18791955)
“Andrews: Do you mind if I ask a question frankly? Do you love my daughter?
Peter: Any guy thatd fall in love with your daughter ought to have his head examined.
Andrews: Now thats an evasion.
Peter: She grabbed herself a perfect running mate. King Westley! The pill of the century. What she needs is a guy thatd take a sock at her once a day, whether its coming to her or not.”
—Robert Riskin (18971955)