Ward's pill

English

Etymology

After Joshua Ward (1685-1761), its inventor.

Noun

Ward's pill (plural Ward's pills)

  1. (historical) A pill made with poisonous ingredients to induce a violent reaction, claimed to cure any illness.
    • 1749, Henry Fielding, The History of Tom Jones, a Foundling, volumes (please specify |volume=I to VI), London: A[ndrew] Millar, […], →OCLC:
      This is indeed a most excellent medicine, and, like Ward’s pill, flies at once to the particular part of the body on which you desire to operate, whether it be the tongue, the hand, or any other member, where it scarce ever fails of immediately producing the desired effect.
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