The Savannah morning news. (Savannah, Ga.) 1900-current, 1902-08-03
RHEUMATISM RINGS.
Origin of Very Early Date-How the
Ring Works
From the New York Press.

From the New York Press.
The ever wise London Chronicle says
that the wearing of metal ring for
the cure of rheumatisf is keeping alive
an old superstition that owed it's orr
gin to one of the ceremonies performed
on Good Friday. The ceremony was
called the Blessing of the Cramps
Rings, and was carried out by the
King himself who went into his pri-
vate chapel, accompanied only by his
grand almoner, crawled on his knees
to the crucifix and there blessed a sill
yer bowlful of gold and silver rings,
which afterward were distributed
among his people afflicted with rheu-
matism and epilepsy. The idea is sup
posed to have originated in certain
ring given by pilgrim to Edward the
Confessor. which was kept in West
minister Abbey and used as a cure for
such ills.
1 am quite sure that the rheumatism
ring of to-day is not worn on account
of any superstition, but because of
scientific knowledge that the metals
composing it actually draw from the
skin, therefore from the blood, certain
substances that should not be there.
The fact that the ring must be scour-
ed inside each day proves this. If not
secured it ceases to do the work for
which it was invented. If supersti-
ton alone controlled the wearing of 1t
there would be no need of cleaning and
polishing it,
1t is said that Edward the Confessor
was once asked for aims by an old
man, and gave him his ring. In time
some English pilgrims went to the
Holy Land and happened to meet the
same old man, who told them that he
was John the Evangelist, and gave
them the identical ring to take to Saint
Edward. 1t was preserved in Westmin-
ster Abbey. The rheumatism ring that
we know is worn preferably on the lit
tie finger of the left hand, the inven-
tor holding that it is then nearer the
heart and tends to prevent the malady
from attacking that organ. This is OPP
posed to all superstitious belief, for
thes ages of olden time maintained
always that 1t was the third finger
that was connected with the heart,
Vein of blood, called "vena amoris,
connecting the two.
Passing on to ordinary rings, 1t is
generally understood that if man or
woman is willing to marry, but IS
heart free, a ring should be worn upon
the index nnger OF the left hand; IL
engaged, on the second finger; If mar
ried, on the third finger, and If not
inclined to matrimony, on the little
finger. The giving of a ring in mar
riage is as old as Genesis, and meant
that the husband conferred upon his
wife all the power that he himself pos
sessed. ring worn on the index nm
ger indicates a naughty, bold ana
Cverbearing spirit; on the middle nm
ger, prudence, dignity and discretion
on the marriage finger love and affec-
ton, and on the little finger, mas
terful spirit.
Priests used to wear their ring on
the forefnger (Which represents the
Holy Ghos) in token of their spiritual
office. IN the Roman Catholic Church
the thumb and first two fingers repre-
sent the Trinity. The bridegroom says,
In the name of the Father" ana
touches the thumb: "in the name OF
the Son." and touches the first finger.
I'm the name of the Holy Ghost" ana
touches the long or middle finger. The
next finger is the husbands, TO whom
the woman owes allegiance next 70
God. The left hand Is chosen 10 show
that the woman Ia 70 be subject 20 rs
MAJ