An archaic term relating to substances that ward off plague or pestilence, or protect against contagious disease.
From Greek alexein (to ward off) + terikon (relating to disease or poison). An older variant of the same concept as alexipharmic, specifically emphasizing protection from epidemic diseases.
During the plague years, 'alexiteric' substances were desperately sought—some were actually mildly protective (like those containing mercury), while others were useless, but belief in them provided crucial psychological comfort during apocalyptic times.
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