570 REPORT OF NATIONAL MUSEUM, 1900. 



and ill all contajrious diseases, fevers, and poisonings the ''tinctura 

 corallorum" and the ''sal corallorum'' were equall}- 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-])earing trees, it insured fertilitv and protected them 

 from hail and l)lighting winds. A kind known as Gro(jiu.s had the 

 power of stopping thunder and lightning. [Leonardus, Speculum 

 Lapidum. 1.502.] 



Before the time of Plin}^ coral was held in great esteem, })ut during 

 his period it was apparenth^ not so- highly appreciated, since he 

 remarks "that formerl}'^ it was deemed a most excellent antidote for 

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

 throughout P^urope 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, epileps}. etc. 



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

 gerous 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 epilepsj- or any other fit through life. It is still 

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

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

 is occasionall}' given to children in the hope of ridding them of the 

 hives and kindred itches. 



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

 diate cure for poisoning. Kar. an oriental sage, sa3's that any man 

 who wears an ugly discolored and rough coral courts death. 



Sanskrit medical science taught that coral is sour, sweet, a specific 

 for cold and biliousness, nutritious, and grace imparting; and the 

 wearing of it very beneficial to women. 



According to the Arabic and Persian Avriters, as given by Tagore in 

 his Treatise on Gems, a dose of coral was considered to be a good 

 astringent, a remedy for all bleedings, and an antidote for all poisons. 

 Worn over the parts it cured all stomach complaints; worn around 

 the neck it stopped crying in infants and protected them from fear 

 and sudden starts while asleep. In Afghanistan the coral mixed with 

 gold dust is given as a tonic. In Egypt it is used according to the 

 following receipt: 



Cut open a lemon and put a piece of coral inside, cover the opening 

 with a paste of clay, and place the whole under a fire for some time 

 until it gets white from burning; remove it and after grinding the 

 stone use it as an ointment for the eyes. Mixed with electuaries and 

 taken internally it will give great physical strength. 



