310 Silk Manujactwc. 



said to possess the peculiar property of resisting the noxious in- 

 fluence and of neutrahzing the effects of malaria. If, as is sup- 

 posed, the poisonous matter is received into the system through 

 the lungs, it may not be difficult to account for the action of this 

 very simple preventive : it is well known that such is the nature 

 of malaria poison, that it is easily decomposed by even feeble 

 chemical agents. Now, it is probable that the heated air pro- 

 ceeding from the lungs may form an atmosphere within the veil 

 of silk, of power sufficient to decompose the miasma in its pas- 

 sage to the mouth ; although it may be equally true that the text- 

 ure of the silk covering may act mechanically as a non-conduc- 

 tor, and prove an impediment to the transmission of the deleteri- 

 ous substance. 



' We learn from Pomet's history of drugs, that silk was in his 

 time used as a medicine, by reducing the pure part of the cocoon 

 into 'a powder. His volume contains many copious directions 

 for preparing this powder, and for duly and carefully separating 

 the chrysalis from the part which he considered medicinal. Silk 

 thus prepared has, as affirmed, " the virtues of cleansing the blood, 

 making the spirits brisk, and the heart pleasant." Lemmery, the 

 editor and commentator of Pomet, adds, that the silkworm itself 

 likewise possesses medicinal properties. According to its infor- 

 mation, silkworms that had been dried into a powder and apphed 

 upon the head, which should be previously shaved for the re- 

 ception of this plaster, were esteemed extremely efficacious in 

 curing the vertigo. 



' The imperishable nature of silk, even under circumstances 

 peculiarly unfavorable to the preservation of animal substances, 

 forms another of its qualities which is deserving of remark. Some 

 years ago, the sexton of the parish of Falkirk, in Stirlingshire, 

 upon opening a grave in the churchyard, found a riband wrapped 

 about the bone of an arm, and which, being washed, was found to 

 be entire, and to have suffered no injury, although it had lain for 

 more than eight years in the earth, and had been in contact with 

 a body which had passed through every stage of putrefaction, un- 

 til it was reduced to its kindred dust.' 



