Online Encyclopedia
Universal panacea
The universal panacea (PAN-uh-see-uh), one of the goals sought by many alchemists, was a remedy that would cure all diseases and prolong life indefinitely. (The other was the philosopher's stone, a mythical substance which would enable the transmutation of common metals into gold.)
Compare: patent medicine, snake oil
Last updated: 11-03-2004 15:41:48