Spoonful of Sugar: Medicinal Preparation in the Domestic Sphere

Due to sinister legends and lore, some plants were harvested with ritualistic precautions. One such plant which received this deadly reputation was the Mandrake. It's physical characteristics were humanistic.

Harvested for hundreds of years prior to this drawing, the Mandrake reportedly screeched when pulled from the earth resulting in death to all those who heard it. The legend goes on to say dogs were used to extricate the plant, the plant would scream resulting in the death of the dog. The humans who took shelter away from the plant and drowned out the screaming remained unharmed, and then could harvest the plant safely.

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This online exhibit has been brought to you by Historical Services at the Ebling Library, University of Wisconsin Madison.