160 BULLETIN 118, UNITED STATES NATIONAL MUSEUM. 



warn the approach of disease; and should the wearer become danger- 

 ously sick, the gem became spotted. Worn as an amulet, it drove 

 away fear, kept men from the influence of sorcery and evil spirits. 

 It was a protection against poison, plague, and storm. (Arcula 

 Gemmea. 1653.) 



It secured women from incubus and men succubus and hindered 

 the delusions of the devil. (Dioscorides, De Materia Medica.) 



Coral was administered, according to the following prescription, 

 for vomiting, purging, and colic: 



Tabellae Corallatae. 

 fy Corrallorum rubeorum praeparatorum, 5ii; margaritar praeparator, 5i; boli 

 armeni, 5/3; light aloes, 3i. Sacch. albissimi dissoluti in aqua rosaru cinnamomi 

 tenuioris quantum sufficit; fiat confectio in tabellis. (Arcula Gemmea. 1653.) 



According to the "Medicina Practica" of Rulandus, written in 

 1564, a half drachm of powdered coral was given as a cardiac stimu- 

 lant; and in all contagious diseases, fevers, and poisonings the 

 "tinctura corallorum" and the "sal corallorum" were equally 

 efficacious. 



Stopped every flux of blood; drove away ghosts, illusions, and 

 dreams; was a protection against lightning, wind, tempest, and 

 attacks of wild beasts. (Methrodorus.) 



It gave relief to pains in the stomach and heart and strengthened 

 those organs. It made sound diseased gums, and cleansed putrid 

 sores. The powder, taken with wine, was given for the gravel. If 

 hung on fruit-bearing trees, it insured fertility and protected them 

 from hail and blighting winds. A kind known as Grogius had the 

 power of stopping thunder and lightning. (Leonardus, Speculum 

 Lapidum. 1502.) 



Before the time of Pliny coral was held in great esteem, but during 

 his period it was apparently not so highly appreciated, since he 

 remarks "that formerly it was deemed a most excellent antidote for 

 poison." During the Middle Ages, however, it was in great repute 

 throughout Europe both as a drug and as an amulet. It was at that 

 time deemed a powerful astringent, and in demand as a talisman 

 against witchcraft, poison, epilepsy, etc. 



Boetius de Boot, writing in 1636, says that he was cured of a 

 dangerous pestilential fever by taking 6 drops of tincture of coral. 

 A. de Villenevee prescribed 10 grains of coral for infants in order to 

 preserve them from epilepsy or any other fit through life. It is still 

 in repute as a preservative against children's diseases and is not infre- 

 quently worn suspended from the neck for this purpose. In India it 

 is occasionally given to children in the hope of ridding them of the 

 hives and kindred itches. 



According to the Mani-Mala a deep red coral was worn as an imme- 

 diate cure for poisoning. Kar, an oriental sage, says that any man 

 who wears an ugly discolored and rough coral courts death. 



