Antidote preparation. 16th-century illustration of alchemists preparing theriac, an antidote to poison. preparation of theriac, an antidote to poison. This antidote, prepared by alchemists and doctors, was made from raw plant materials in the jars on the table. The Venetian banners indicate that the theriac ingredients came from Venice. This is a page from 'Liber de arte distillandi de compositis' (1512), published in Strasbourg by German surgeon and alchemist Hieronymus Brunschwig (c.1450-c.1512). This work is a practical manual on chemical, alchemical, and distillation devices, and techniques used to manufacture potions and drugs.