Hoffmansdruppels, noun

/ˈhɒfmənzdrəpəlz//ˈhɔfmansdrœpəls/
Forms:
Also Hoffmannsdruppels, Hoffman’s droppels.
Origin:
AfrikaansShow more Afrikaans, ‘Hoffman’s anodyne’; combining form of Hoffman name of a German physician F. Hoffmann (1660–1742) + druppels drops.
A mixture of ether, alcohol, and ethereal oil, used as a medicine for the treatment of heart complaints, nervous tension, and headaches. See also druppels.
1884 B.G. Lennon & Co.’s Catal. 1884 65Hoffman’s Droppels.
1919 Dunell, Ebden & Co.’s Price List Oct. 20Hoffman’s Droppels.
1943 I. Frack S. Afr. Doctor 118When a badly advised Government..decided to put a tax on patent medicines, the imposition nearly resulted in its downfall. The millions of bottles of ‘bors-druppels,’ ‘Hoffmans druppels,’ pain elixirs, ‘duivels drek,’ ‘levens-essens,’..that are sold must really be staggering.
1958 E.H. Burrows Hist. of Medicine 191Hoffmann’s droppels, (Spiritus Aetheris Compositus B.P.C.): used as an anti-spasmodic remedy, in convulsions and for headaches.
1972 N. Sapeika in Std Encycl. of Sn Afr. VII. 302A list of..traditional remedies..includes..Hoffmannsdruppels (spirit of ether).
1989 D. Smuts Folk Remedies 51Heart, Drink 1 teaspoon of Hoffmansdruppels in water 3 times a day.
1989 D. Smuts Folk Remedies 64Nerves, Rooilaventel, yellow balsem vita, Hoffmansdruppels.
1991 [see krampdruppels druppels sense b i].
A mixture of ether, alcohol, and ethereal oil, used as a medicine for the treatment of heart complaints, nervous tension, and headaches.
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Afrikaans
hoërskool, nounn.Hoggenheimer, nounn.
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