18 PROCEEDINGS OF THE NATIONAL MUSEUM. vol. Go. 



\va.s upon Saul, tliat David took an harp and played with Ins hand; so Saul 

 MRS refreshed and was well, and the evil spirit deiiarted from him." (Samuel, 

 xvi, 14-23.) Cat. No. 143,505, U.S.N.M. 



Metallotherapy. — A method of curing disease Iw the application 

 of metallic substances to the surface of the body. It has been ad- 

 vocated from the time of the middle ages to the present, principally 

 as a propliylactic and a remedy for distinctly nervous diseases. In 

 most instances this method of therapy falls under the head of mind 

 medicine, appealing to the credulity and imagination of the patient. 



Copijcr. — A plate of copper to be worn as a preventive of cholera, and a 

 remedy for facial neuralgia and other nervous affections. Commonly used 

 in Europe in the early part of the nineteenth century. (See pi. 3.) Cat. No. 

 143,149, U.S.N.M. 



Mercury. — A .small tube filled with mercury, worn suspended from the neck 

 as a protection from the cholera. Said to have been used by many people in 

 Germany during the first half of the nineteenth century. The custom had its 

 origin in the immunity of workmen in quicksilver mines during an epidemic of 

 cholera. Cat. No. 143,147, U.S.N.M. 



Horseshoe. — There are many superstitions connected with the horseshoe, but 

 in metallotherapeuties the healing effects of an old horseshoe were attributed 

 to the magnetic quality acquired by long beating upon stony roads or pave- 

 ments. It was believed to be a sovereign remedy for cramps, and was to be 

 kept at the bedside where it could readily be seized in case of an attack. 

 Cat. No. 143,148, U.S.N.M. 



Laying on of hands. — Figure 10 is a copy of an illustration from 

 " The Miraculous Conformist, or an Account of Marvailous Cures 

 Performed by the Stroking of the Hands of Mr. Valentine Great- 

 arick.'' 



Valentine Greatarick, born in Ireland, attained great reputation, 

 about the middle of the seventeenth century, by his marvelous cures 

 of diseases by stroking vyith the hands. xVt first he confined his 

 efforts to the cure of scrofula, or "King's evil;"' subsequently he 

 successfully treated patients Avith many other diseases, such as apo- 

 plexy, convulsions, palsy, etc. 



" I saw him Stroke a man for a great and settled paine in liis lefi 

 Shoulder, wliicli rendered his Anne nselesse : upon his stroking it 

 the pain removed instantly into the end of the Musculus Deltodes: 

 being stroked there, it returned to the Shoulder again: thence (npon 

 a second stroking) it flew to the elbow, thence to the wrist, thence 

 to the shoulder again : and thence to the fingers : whence it went out 

 upon his last stroking, so as that he moved his arme vigorously 

 every way."' 



By Henry Stubbe, physician. Oxford, 1600. Cat. Xo. 143,506, 



r.s.x.M. 



Royal touch. — A mode of healing said to have originated with 

 Edward the Confessor. ' (1001-10C)G.) It was practiced by sue- 



