is
the Bloodstone, or Heliotrope; a green Jasper, spotted with red gouts.
(In the Royal collection of France there is a medallion of Christ, cut
in blood-stone, where these red spots are made to represent the drops
of the Passion.) The term Heliotrope, from two Greek words which
signify " sun-turning," is applied to this stone, because of a notion
that when immersed in water it will change the sun's image into
blood-red.
This
Stone was said of old to make the wearer fortunate and rich ; while
Amulets of Jasper resisted fevers, and dropsy. Ancient warriors often
carried an Amulet of Bloodstone, which was intended to stop bleeding
when applied to a wound.
Concerning the Lapis Sanguinarius, or
Blood Stone, found in New Spain, (with regard to which the Indians do
most confidently believe that if the flesh of any bleeding part be
touched with this Stone the bleeding will thereby be stanched),
Menardes adds this memorÂable observation of his own, " Vidimus
nonnullos hcemor-rlwidum fluxu afflicios remedium sensisse, annulos
ex-hoc la-pide confectos in digito continue gestando ; nee non et
menstruum fluxum sisti." " The Vertue of this Stone is much above
that of any other Gem, for it stops the flax of blood in any part." "
We have seen some that were troubled with the flux of the Hsmorrhoides
who found remedy by wearing Kings made of the BloodÂstone continually
on their Fingers."
That
the principal Metals, in common with Minerals, (not only the Precious
Stones, but likewise lesser minerals, such as Earth Salts, etc.),
positively affect the bodily conditions, when applied externally,
cannot be doubted. The modern helpful uses of Radium afford a
remarkable illustration of this fact. Lieber, a well-
