Aiir. 15. HISTORY OF MEDICINE EXHIBITS WHITEBREAD. 9 



Worn as an amulet it drives away sadness, strengtlieus tlie intellect, and 

 bestows courage. (Porta.) Cat. No. 143,139, U.S.N.M. 



Garnet. — Dispels poisonous and infectious airs. (Camillus Leonardus.) 

 Like the ruby it foretells misfortune. Suspended from the neck it wards off 

 the plague and thunder; taken internally it cures epilepsy, insanity, cholera, 

 snake bite, and neutralizes drug poisons. Cat. No. 143,129, U.S.N.M. 



Bloodstone. — Said to bring safety and long life to its possessor, and to be 

 antidote to poisons. (Camillus Leonardus.) A remedy for dyspepsia. If 

 " washed according to medicinal art " it was a styptic. In powder it was 

 applied to ulcers, and, mixed with honey or white of egg, it was believed to be 

 an excellent remedy for hard tumors. (Albertus Magnus.) Cat. No. 143,122, 

 U.S.N.M. 



Amethyst. — As an amulet it dispels sleep, sharpens the intellect, prevents 

 intoxication, and promotes chastity. An antidote for all poisons. (Albertus 

 Magnus.) According to Pliny, the amethyst is an antidote to drunkenness, 

 " for being bound on the naval it restrains the vapor of wine, and dissolves 

 ebriety." In Hindu medicine it is said to give strength, abate the heat of 

 fevers, and cure fistula. Cat. No. 143,119, U.S.N.M. 



Jasper. — Checks hemorrhages, strengthens the chest, lungs, and stomach, 

 cures fevers and dropsy, and clears the sight. (Camillus Leonardus.) Galen 

 (2nd Century) recommends that it be worn next the skin over the stomach, 

 for the relief of dyspepsia. Burton (Anatomy of Melancholy) says: "If hung 

 about the neck, or taken in drink, it much resisteth sorrow." Cat. No. 143,130, 

 U.S.N.M. 



Sapphire. — ^Among the Hindus the sapphire, unless perfectly flawless, was 

 an unlucky stone. In the Middle Ages it was said to cure boils, carbuncles, 

 and headaches, rested and refreshed the body, and gave color to the cheeks. 

 (Camillus Leonardus.) Galen administered vinegar in which a sapphire had 

 been soaked, in fevers. An ointment made with the powder cured inflamma- 

 tion of the eyes. Because of its extreme coldness it was thought to preserve 

 the chastity of the wearer, and hence especially suited for ecclesiastical rings. 

 The Buddhists esteem the sapphire, as a protective charm, above all gems. 

 Cat. No. 143,138, U.S.N.M. 



Carnelian. — Said to cure tumors and all wounds made by iron. (Eplphauius. ) 

 Preserved the strength, prevented hoarseness, and cleared the voice. In powder 

 or worn as an amulet, it was supposed to be a sovereign remedy for hemorrhage. 

 Rings cut from the stone are still worn to prevent bleeding from the nose. 

 Cat. No. 143,123, U.S.N.M. 



Ruby. — In Persian and Arabian medicine it was said to cure epilepsy, in- 

 sanity, cholera, hemorrhage from the lungs, snake bite, and the effects of 

 poisonous drugs ; it purified the blood and freed the air from the infection of 

 cholera. In the Middle Ages it was an amulet against poisons, plague, sad- 

 ness, or evil thoughts ; forewarned of danger by losing color. " It take,^ 

 away vain thoughts, reconciles differences among friends, and makes a mighty 

 hicrease of prosperity." (Camillus Leonardus.) Cat. No. 143,137, U.S.N.M. 



Lapis lazuli. — Believed to cure melancholia. Used at the present day in 

 India, Chile, and Peru as a laxative. In Hindu medicine it was regarded as a 

 cooling medicine, and curative of biliousness. Cat. No. 143,131, U.S.N.M. 



Chrysoberyl. — As an amulet it dispels evil dreams, fear, and melancholy. 

 Possesses the general qualities of beryl. In Hindu medicine the chrysoberyl, 

 set in gold and worn on the neck or hand, said to remove diseases and vicious 

 habits, and to increase family, life, and happiness. Is also believed to lose its 

 brilliancy in contact with poisons. Cat. No. 143,12G, U.S.N.M. 



