|
THE EMERALD.
|
125
|
||
|
|
|||
|
topics just mentioned, it is recorded that the Sea-Hare, Lepus marinus was
a remarkable creature known to the ancient Romans,—as we learn from
Dioscorides, Galen, Pliny, and others. With this animal Titus was
poisoned by Domitian. '' Is autem piscis humores quondam occultos
habet mortiferos supra omnia venena qum mare, terr que nascuntur; et
Neronem huno ipsum piscem epulis quandoque miscuisse tradunt adversus
homines sibi inimicissimos."
It
is also well worth knowing th at no remedy is so efficacious, so
simple, and so free from discomfort of application, in the treatment
of warts, and corns, as sea-water. The plan for pursuing this treatment
is, when at the sea-side, to bathe the feet in the sea twice a day,
paddling in the water for from ten to fifteen minutes each time. Warts
may be treated in the same manner; the hand, or hands, affected are to
be placed in sea-water (made comfortably warm, if desired) twice daily,
throughout at least ten minutes each time. For those persons who cannot
get access to sea-water a solution of " sea salt " is to be advised,
dissolving this (it must be of undoubted marine origin), in
warm water, so measured as to raise it to the saline specific gravity
of sea-water ; and using it twice a day, (likewise for corns,) until
they are softened, and can be readily peeled off, as they most
certainly may be at the end of a fortnight, if not sooner.
To
resume about the Emerald : this is essentially a Silicate, consisting
mainly of Silica, combined with Aluminium, and Glucinum, (or
Beryllum,—a rare constituent). The Emerald, Beryl, and Aq ua-manne are
practically the same mineral (with differences of colour, and in other
minor particulars). Pliny has told of an
|
|||
|
|
|||