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DONJCH · 25-10-2018, 10:48 PM

(24-10-2018, 12:10 PM)-JKP- wrote: You are not allowed to view links. Register or Login to view.Asbestos = "alumen plumeum"
Alumen/Alumine/amianthus/amiantos = alum (sulfate of potassium and aluminum)

In the parlance of the ancients and medievals, both were minerals called "alumen". One was used for insulation, the other ground to a powder for medicine, baking, and dying.

Raw alum looks like this: You are not allowed to view links. Register or Login to view.
Raw asbestos looks like this: You are not allowed to view links. Register or Login to view.

I have been meaning to point out that alum itself is also used to fireproof organic materials such as wood or cloth.

I wonder if this property could help make more sense of the wording in any of the references or You are not allowed to view links. Register or Login to view. itself?

I imagine for instance that fireproofing of clothing would be of interest to an alchemist (or indeed a priest) who is often working with fire. Also in the context of women's health, until the 20th Century, a common cause of death was clothing catching on fire in the kitchen.

Of course, this is probably yet another red herring.