The Manitowoc pilot. [volume] (Manitowoc, Wis.) 1859-1932, 1891-10-22
mo.lltouof pilot.
THURSDAY. OCTOBER %, 1891.
JEWELS AS MEDICINE.
Diamonds Kept Away Insanity, and Anie
thysis Prevented fatoxication.

thysIs Prevented fatoxication.
Although popularity supposed to be |
a deadly poison, the diamond has from |
remote ages been credited with the
power Of prot tting the wearer from
the evil effects of other poison
reputation which it retained until COM
paratiyeiy recent times, says Chambers
Journai. According TO Pliny, it also
keeps off insanity. Amber, too. was
supposed 10 possess the latter virtue.
Besides. the diamond. several other
stones were supposed TO possess medi-
cinal virtues. The ruby was con-
sidered good for arrangements OF the
liver as we'll As for bad eyes. The sap
phire and emerald we're also credited
with properties winch rendered them
capable Of influencing ophthalmic dis
orders. and there is a superstltious be-
lief that scrpents are blinded by look
ing at the latter stone.
The turquois, although not credited
with either remedial or protective
properties so far rs disease was
concerned. was nevertheless regarded
as Il kind Of sympathetic indicator, the
intensity Of its color being supposed to
tiuctuate with the health Of the wearer.
The latter. moreover, by virtue Of the
stone lie carried. could. it was said.
fall from any height with inpunity.
The marquis of Eilena's fool. how
ever. was somewhat nearer the truth
when he reversed the popular super
stition in his assertion that the wearer
of a turdGois3 n n fall from the top OF +
"A high tower and be dashed to pieces
without breaking the stone.
The opal was looked upon as
thunder stone, and although many
women now appear to have strong
superstItious prejudice against wear
ing one. it was III bygone days held in
the highest estimation. for it was sup
posed to combine the virtues Of several
other gems On the other hand, the
onyx--so named on account of its re-
semblance to the color of the finger
nails-ceuld scarcely have been nice
stone to wear; for according TO
medieval superstition. it rendered one
particularly susceptible TO annoyance
from Nightmares and demons.
Temperance advocates, if they have
any regard for the beliefs of the
Greeks and Romans. might seriously
ing amethysts among drunkards, for it
WAS supposed that these stones prevents
ed intoxication. Coral was made use
of by the Romans as a protection
against the evil eye. and popular
superstition has credited the topaz with
the power ST depriving boiling water
of its heat.
Perhaps the most wonderful proper
ties, however, were aScribed to the
chimerical stones which many Great
ures were supposed TO carry in their
heads. Most of our readers have no
doubt heard of the precious jewel
which the toad carries III his brain box /;
and so-callcd toad stones, which were
in reality the teeth of fossil fish, were
formerly worn in finger rings as pro-
lection against polsons.
1t was thought that the best stones
were those voluntarily elected by the
living toads; but rs the latter were not
addicted to freely giving up their
treasures in that way. it was necessary
to procure the coveted articles BY other
means and the recognized method
was to dccapitate the hapIess batrach-
ian nj the instant he swallowed his
breath.
The feat naturally demanded consid-
cradle celebrity, such as could only he
acquired by constant practice, and it
Is not unreasonable, therefore. to as
sumo that although the endeavors to
gain possession OF the Jewels were per-
haps numerous, they must invariably
have been unsatisfactory, especially to
the toads. The eagle stone was con-
sidercd an excellent thing to wear dur
ing pregnancy, and the swallow car
ried in its stomach stones of great
medicinal value.
The brain OF the tortoise was sup
posed to contain u wonderful stone.
which was eliicacious in cNtinguiShing
fire, and when placed under the tongue
would produce prophetic inspiration.
Another stone possessing the latter
property was To be found in the eye of
the hyena. The head of the cat how
ever. was thought to contain what
would undoubtedly have been the most
wonderful and most desirable treasure
Of ali. could it have only had real in
stead of an imaginary existence. for
that man who was SO fortunate as to
possess this precious stone would have
all his wishes granted.