bination,
it may be reasonably supposed that sucking a Silver coin, together with
some table-salt, daily by an epileptic person, is to be suggested as
promising curative results. The Chloride of Silver in a soluble state
will thus be absorbed into the blood through the lining membranes of
the mouth ; and some of the same will find its way into the stomach by
being swallowed. As a metal Silver is sometimes discovered native and
pure ; but more often as mineralised with oxygen, sulphur, the
carbonic, and muriatic acids.
The London Pharmacopeia (1695)
ordered as medicinal preparations of Silver : potable Silver, a
tincture, a spirit, and an essence ; likewise Lunar Silver pills, and
Silver crystals. " In giving of the Lunar pills, wrap them up in a wet
wafer, the pap of an apple, or a stewed prune, because of their
bitterness." " With this medicament," affirmed the learned Horstius, "
I have perfectly cured beyond expectation old headaches of near twenty
years' standing."
Silver
"Apostle spoons " were fashionable from about 1500 to 1650. The selling
value of twelve such, in good condition, is to-day about eighty pounds.
At one time spoons were used in England for snuff-taking.
Silver
forks must come in for a small share of suspicion about forming a
harmful product by use in the mouth together with table-salt during
mastication at a meal; though, as their tercentenary is just now being
notified, they have been a long time about doing much chemical harm.
Anyhow, they provide us for the moment with a delightful anecdote
respecting a demure little girl whom Oliver Wendell Holmes saw near the
refreshment table (at a children's party), looking longingly at the
tempting sweets, and confectionery displayed thereon ;
