3rd April 2015
The past is often relevant – academics at the University of Nottingham have found that a 10th century recipe from Bald's Leechbook, one of the earliest known medical textbooks, is effective against the superbug MRSA. The book, held by the British Library, is written in Old English (Anglo-Saxon). We have to wonder how this was originally discovered – did the Anglo-Saxons test different possible salves scientifically?
The recipe was intended for treating styes, which are caused by a non-antibiotic-resistant version of MRSA. To astonishment from microbiologists, it's been shown to kill up to 90% of MRSA bacteria in in vivo tests. It's thought that the ingredients, which include wine and cow bile, work together against the bacteria, or react to produce new active ingredients. Authentic ingredients were sourced, including organic wine from a historic vineyard. Even the container is important – brass sheets were used inside modern glass containers to simulate the brass vessels which the early physicians would have used.
Apparently, when the recipe is followed properly, the mixture works better than many modern antibiotics. New antibiotics are always needed as microorganisms evolve resistance – could old solutions be used more and more? Please, please don’t try cow bile and wine at home!
Image © The British Library Board (Royal 12 D xvii)