though
long suspected of exercising poisonous properties, if taken internally,
was, nevertheless, believed to endow its wearer with courage, and to
make him " more fearless than careful." The Ruby was worn to ward off
the plague and pestilence ; having, also, according to Cardamus, the
virtue of making its wearer prudent, and of banishing idle, foolish
thoughts. When taken internally this gem was believed to make the body
capable of resisting decay. The Emerald was used medicinally in early
times as an astringent, being warranted to cure dysentery, the plague,
the falling sickness, and the bitings of venomous creatures. It was
also reputed to stop haemorrhages; to strengthen the memory, and to
remove acrid humours. This stone was administered in the form of fine
powder, of which the dose was from six to thirty grains. Taking up his
parable, we remind our readers that, as an old writer puts it, " the
Emerald takes away foolish fears, as of devils, and hobgoblins, with
folly, and anger, so as to cause good conditions."
Extraordinary
virtues were likewise attributed to the Sapphire in ancient times by
medical men of those days. This stone was supposed to have sexual
distinctions ; the pale blue being held to be the male, and the dark
blue variety representing the female. Medicinally the sapphire stones "
fortified the heart, counteracted the effects of poisons, purified the
blood, and dried up ulcers on the eyes." Similarly, powdered Rubies
were given, in doses of from ten to forty grains, to " sweeten the
sharpness of the humours, to strengthen the vitals, to drive away
melancholy, and to restore lost strength." Again, Lapis Lazuli, " the
Stone of beautiful blue," was employed to " purge melancholy, and
fortify the
