Baxter Springs news. [volume] (Baxter Springs, Kan.) 1882-1919, 1891-10-24
JEWELS AS MEDICINE.
DIamoads Kept Away Insanity, ana Ame-
thyS,s Prevented IntOxjcstion.


Although popularity supposed to be
deadly poison, the diamond has from
remote ages been credited with the
power OF protecting the wearer from
tho evil effects Of other poison-a
reputation which II retained until COM
paratively recent times, snys Chambers
Journal According to Piny. 1t also
keeps of insanity. Amber. too. was
supposed to 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 us we'll as for bad eyes. The sap
phire and emerald were also credited
with properties which rendered them
capable Of influencing ophthalmic dis
orders, and there is a superstitious be-
lief that serpcuts are blinded by look
ing ut The latter stone.
The turquois. although not credited
with either remedial or protective
properties so far rs disease was
concerned. was nevertheless regarded
rs kind Of sympathetic indicator. the
intensity OF its color being supposed to
fluctuate with the health Of the wearer.
The latter. moreover. by virtue OF the
stone he carried. could. it was said.
fall from any height with IMMUNITY.
The marquis Of Villena's fool. how
ever, was somewhat nearer the truth
when he reversed the popular SUPER
slition in his assertion that the wearer
of a turquois might fall from the top of
q high tower and DO dashed to pieces
without breaking the stone.
The opal was looked upon as a
thunder stone. and although many
women now appear to have strong
superstitious prejudice against wear
ing one. it was in bygone days held in
the highest estimation. for 1t was sup
posed TO combine the virtues Of several
other gems. On the other hand, the
onyx-so named on account OF its re.
senblance to tho color of the finger
nails-could scarcely have been nice
stone to wear; for. according to
medieval superstition, 1t 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
consider the advisability of distribute
ing amethysts among drunkards, for it
was supposed that these stones prevent-
ed intoxication. Coral was made use
OF by the Romans as q protection
against the evil eye. and popular
superstition has credited the topaz with
the power Of dcpriving boiling water
OF its heat.
Perhaps the most onderful 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 in his brain-box;
and so-cnlled toad stones, which were
In reality the teeth of fossil fish, were
formerly worn in finger rings as pro-
lection against poisons.
1t was thought that the best stones
we're those voluntarily elected by the
living toads; but as 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 decapitate the hapless batrach-
ian at the instant he swallowed his
breath.
The feat naturally demanded consid-
cradle celebrity. such as could only be
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-
6aps numerous. they must invariably
have been unsatisfactory, especially to
the toads. The eagle stone was con-
sidered 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 q wonderful stone.
which was efficacious in extinguishing
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 lead of the cat how
ever, was thought to contain what
would undoubtedly have been the most
wonderful and most desirable treasure
of all. 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. !,