The calcination of antimony by the sun, 1660. Calcination was the separation of bodies by fire in a way that made them reducible into powder. It was also called "chemical pulverization." The use of antimony as a cure was controversial in the 16th century but it was also a highly popular medicine. Antimony is a silvery-white metal that breaks easily and is now used mainly in alloys, semiconductors, and flame-retardants. Engraving from Traicte de la Chymie, by Nicholas Le Fevre. This print is similar to that used by Lionel Lockyer on his broadsheet on pills.