148 NATURAL HISTORY. 



able and pleasant to behold. . So also fair and clear 

 pools do greatly comfort the eyes and spirits ; espe 

 cially when the sun is not glaring, but overcast ; or 

 when the moon shineth. 



961. There be divers sorts of bracelets fit to com 

 fort the spirits ; and they be of three intentions ; re 

 frigerant, corroborant, and aperient. For refrigerant, 

 1 wish them to be of pearl, or of coral, as is used ; and 

 it hath been noted that coral, if the party that weareth 

 it be ill disposed, will wax pale ; which I believe to be 

 true, because otherwise distemper of heat will make 

 coral lose colour. 1 commend also beads, or little 

 plates of lapis lazuli ; and beads of nitre, either alone 

 or with some cordial mixture. 



962. For corroboration and confortation, take such 

 bodies as are of astringent quality, without manifest 

 cold. I commend bead-amber ; which is full of astric- 

 tion, but yet is unctuous, and not cold ; and is con 

 ceived to impinguate those that wear such beads ; I 

 commend also beads of hartshorn and ivory, which 

 are of the like nature ; also orange beads ; also beads 

 of lignum aloes, macerated first in rose-water, and 

 dried. 



963. For opening, I commend beads, or pieces of 

 the roots of cardans benedictus : also of the roots 

 of piony the male ; and of orrice ; and of calamus 

 aromaticus ; and of rue. 



964. The cramp (no doubt) cometh of contraction 

 of sinews ; which is manifest, in that it cometh either 

 by cold or dryness ; as after consumptions, and long 

 agues ; for cold and dryness do (both of them) con 

 tract and corrugate. We see also that chafing a little 

 above the place in pain, easeth the cramp ; which is 



