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406
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METALS—THE NOBLER.
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Ulcerative
soreness within the mouth, and throat, is another morbid condition
which benefits curatively if metallic Silver is exhibited to the
patient; and on the same guiding principle as already enunciated.
Another physician of eminence, Dr. H. C. Wood, observed that in
Silver-poisoning (argyria) convulsions became determined, and
paralysis ensued. This fact bears again on the utility which Silver has
vindicated to itself against the convulsive attacks of epilepsy, and as
bearing out the same view, even when the Silver is worn externally over
some part of the body, in lieu of being taken medicinally.
In
confirmation of this fact may be quoted an old custom which obtained
formerly in England of distributing the silver sacramental coins among
epileptic sufferers in each particular parish, to be worn remedially
about their persons. It will not be out of place to repeat here what we
have told concerning this matter in our Animal Simples (1899),
that " A ring made from a piece of Silver collected at the Communion in
church, or from small Silver coins given by five bachelors, unknowingly
to each other, or contributed by twelve young women, and worn
constantly on one of the patient's fingers, was formerly believed to
guard against epileptic attacks. In Norfolk, even at the present day,
it is affirmed that a ring constructed from nine sixpences given freely
by persons of the opposite sex to that of the sufferer is similarly
efficacious.
Furthermore,
notice has been already taken of the curative virtues exercised by the
Chloride of Silver, this being a soluble salt. And, inasmuch as under
certain conditions this said Chloride of Silver becomes formed when
human saliva, common salt (chloride of sodium), and metallic Silver
meet in com-
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