586 REPOKT OF NATIONAL MUSEUM, 1900. 



Rubboa on a hone the topaz gave a milky juice in quantities, and 

 yet lost none of its orig-inal weight. The juice was taken internally in 

 cases of dropsy, and certain poisonings. Used as an ointment it was 

 in repute as a curative for diseases of the eye. (Epiphanius.) 



Worn as an amulet, so sayn Porta, it drove away sadness and night- 

 mare; strengthened the intellect and bestowed courage. Mounted in 

 gold and* hung around the neck it dispelled enchantments; worn on 

 the left hand it preserved its wearer from sensuality. 



In the Honest Jeweller, written in the seventeenth century, the 

 statement is made that — 



the virtue and strength of the topaz is said to increase and decrease with the moon, 

 and consist in the fact that when thrown into boihng water, it at once deprives it of 

 its heat. 



According to the Sanskrit authorities, the — 



topaz is sour, cool, and curative of a])normal oxidation, gives an appetite, and ])rings 

 fame and wisdom. 



The Hindu sages held that the medicinal properties of the topaz 

 were similar to those of the coral, and in addition it prevented and 

 cured sterility. (Mani-Mala.) 



Like the rubj^, the topaz was supposed to possess the power of emit- 

 ting light to a great degree. A topaz given by the wife of Theoderic, 

 count of Holland, to Adelbert, gave out so brilliant a light in the chapel 

 where it was kept that prayers could be read by it. 



Turquoise. — Emblematic of success. Highly valued b}^ all orientals 

 and worn by them to insure health and success. Supposed to preserve 

 the wearer from injury through accidents. In the presence of poisons 

 the stone sweated profusely, a property thought to be characteristic 

 of many of the noble gems. Its color paled as its owner sickened and 

 was lost entirely on his death, to be recovered only on its becoming 

 the property of a healthy person. 



The turquoise, according to Arabian and Persian authorities, as cited 

 in the Mani-Mala, cured all diseases of the head and heart. A sover- 

 eign remedy for hernia, swellings, flatulence, dyspepsia, insanity, and 

 cancerous sores. Whether taken alone, mixed with honey or with 

 other drugs, it cures epileps}^ spleen, and stricture. In cases of poison- 

 ing or snake })ite, it was given with wine. Aristotle advises a similar 

 dose for the same purpose. Applied as an ointment to the eyes, it 

 increased their luster, restored the vision, and prevented the fall of 

 fluids therefrom. W^orn as an auuilet, the turquoise brought happi- 

 ness, dispelled fear, and rendered its wearer safe from drowning, 

 lightning stroke, and snake bite. Seen after looking at the moon on 

 the first day after the new moon, it brought good luck. 



In Egyi)t cure of a cataract is believed to lie effected by the local 

 application of a turquoise set in a silver ring and dipped in water, 



