Question

what is the meaning of the word panacea as used in the passage? history has seen one concoction after another labeled as a cure - all, a designation applied to many treatments that today would be considered bizarre. for example, tar - water, created by steeping tar in water for several days, was used for treating ailments as small as fevers to so - called \chronic disorders.\ we now know that there is nothing that can truly be called a panacea. a universal remedy an ineffective medicine a scientific discovery

Explanation:

The passage mentions "cure - all" and then states there is nothing that can truly be called a panacea. A "cure - all" is a universal remedy.

Answer:

a universal remedy