anodyne necklace

plural anodyne necklaces · alternative obsolete rare anodyne-necklace

1. historicalA kind of necklace purported to possess medicinal properties, particularly for teething children.

   John was a man to whom nothing came amiss; he had an anodyne necklace for fits, and an infallible cataplasm for gout; he was a dexterous bone-setter, and a good dentist.

   1827 August 25, The London Literary Gazette; and Journal of Belles Lettres, Arts, Sciences, &c., number 553, page 547

   3 more examples

   THOSE Perſons who go to Mrs. Garway’s at the Royal Exchange-Gate to Buy this NECKLACE, are deſired to Ask expreſly for The Anodyne Necklace that is Recommended by Dr. Chamberlen, which is Sealed up in a little Round Red Box, with the Print of the Necklace curiouſly Engraved upon it, to prevent Miſtaking (inſtead of it) A Great Rediſh Necklace, Made of a Root, which is Sold at her Shop.

   1717, A Philosophical Essay Upon the Celebrated Anodyne Necklace, Recommended to the World by Dr. Chamberlen, for Childrens Teeth: Women in Labour: And Distempers of the Head, London: Printed by H. Parker, at the Bible in Goswell-street, near Aldersgate-Bars, page 71

   The Funds have fallen again during the last week, and the reason assigned, is, the “unfortunate failure of the mediation of Russia;” just as if that mediation has, or ever has had, any thing in it, that promised peace to this country. It was an anodyne necklace, invented by Mr. Fox and administered to the nation with the concurrent opinions of Lord Hawkesbury and Mr. Pitt.

   1803, Cobbett’s Annual Register, volume 4, column 119

   The Germans attribute many virtues to theſe foſſil teeth; they call them cordials, ſudorifics, and alexipharmics; and the people of Malta, where they are extremely plentiful, hang them about their children’s neck to promote dentition. They may poſſibly be of as much ſervice this way as an anodyne necklace; and if ſuſpended in ſuch a manner that the child can get them to its mouth, may, by their hardneſs and ſmoothneſs, be of the ſame uſe as a piece of coral.

   1819, Abraham Rees, “Glossopetra”, in The Cyclopædia; or, Universal Dictionary of Arts, Sciences, and Literature, volume XVI, London