"
The ailments for relief of which this alumina is particularly suitable
are of a chronic character, especially when occurring in old persons,
or in dry, and thin subjects." Under physical circumstances of such a
nature the employment by outward wear, as Jewelry, (and in other
well-devised ways), all the Sapphires should prove specially
beneficial, as well as highly ornamental. Perhaps also under these
bodily straits brief changes may be rung on the " true Emerald," and
the " true Topaz," as compound gems of alumina, and silica.
Respecting
Silica, (of which mineral element common flint is an oxide,) we have
already had something explanatory to tell. Pure silica, (triturated to
an infinitesimal degree of attenuation, and thus, as is alleged,
potentially dynamised), or, flint, is shown to exercise medicinal
properties, and to subserve curative uses which cannot be controverted.
It would appear that such flint was employed as a medicine long ago ;
even by Theophrastus Paracelsus (translation, 1650), being praised by
him, and his followers, as of virtue against stone in the kidney, or
bladder ; likewise in suppression of the milk during the nursing time
of mothers. But the use of flint as a medicament became abandoned from
that time until our more modern school, encouraged by the practical
success attending the trituration of metals otherwise inert, applied
the same process to insoluble, obdurate flint. It turns out that silica
exercises a slow, steady action for good on the bodily nutrition when
this is impaired, being better calculated to remedy organic changes,
than to meet functional disorders which need a more immediate setting
to rights. The Agates, the Amethyst, and the Opal are the jewels
specially
