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332 PRECIOUS STONES.
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it
purgeth melancholy upwards, or downwards ; but if you wash it twelve or
fifteen times, it only purgeth downwards, and is good in madness,
melancholy, epilepsie, etc. The dose in substance is from one drachm to
eighty grains. Outwardly it is used for the eyes, likewise for soreness
of the eyelids." This stone is called " Armenian" because it was first
brought from Armenia ; but now it is found in Germany.
Bartholomew
Anglicus, 1250, foreshadowed Shakespeare in commending music " which
hath holpen madmen to their wits." The brain, in mediaeval times was
regarded as the home of the senses exclusively. " If there be signs of
frenzy, then men must soon be holpen, lest they perish." In the
beginning of medicine he shall be let blood in a vein of the forehead,
and be bled as much as will fill an egg-shell." This recalls to mind
Juvenal's satirical advice respecting his friend about to marry, " 0,
Medici! mediam pertundite venam " —" Let the doctors bleed your
head-vein."
THE MOONSTONE.
The Moonstone, though
not properly a gem, or precious stone, yet as possessing a certain
value, likewise a certain mystic reputation, and being therefore
adopted for personal wear, calls for some detailed notice in our pages.
It is an opalescent variety of felspar (orthoclase), having a "
chatoyante" (sparkling) reflection, like that of the " Cat's-eye," and
is of a pearly-white colour. The best Moonstones are brought from
Ceylon.
An
opaque and green variety of the Moonstone, owning an[admixture with
copper, comes from Siberia, where it is called " amazon-stone," but
this is very little known in England. Another name sometimes borne by
the
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