10 THE CURIOUS LOEE OF PRECIOUS STONES
this
effect was produced to an even greater degree, for if water in which
this mineral had been dipped were swallowed, spasms of laughter
resulted.
Bock-crystal
also was found to possess a strongly stimulating influence, for if put
in the hand, it aroused the subject from a half-slumber, and if placed
on the pit of the stomach, it had the power to awaken the seeress from
a somnambulistic trance, while at the same time an aromatic odor was
diffused around. When, however, the application was continued for some
time, the muscles stiffened, until finally an epileptic state ensued.
Indeed, the rigidity produced was so great that the limbs resisted all
attempts to bend them. The same effect, but in a much less degree, was
caused by glass, even by looking at it, or by the tones emitted by a
glass object when struck. All colorless silicates, the diamond, and
even gypsum, had a similar effect, as did also heliotrope and basalt,
either of which caused a bitter taste in the mouth.
The
most powerful action was that exerted by hematite, the oxide of iron
in this substance inducing a kind of paralysis, with a sensation of
inner chill; this condition could only be relieved by the application
of a piece of witherite. ; Octahedrons of magnetite
(loadstone) caused a sensation of heaviness and convulsive movements
of the limbs, even when the material, wrapped up in.paper, was brought
near the subject. Spinel, in whose composition oxide of chromium
enters, caused the same symptoms as loadstone, except that in this case
the force seemed to exert itself from" the hand upward along the arm,
while with the loadstone the action was downward along the arm to the
hand, owing to the attractive quality of this magnetic iron. Euby
called forth a sensation of coldness in the tongue, and rendered this
member so heavy that only incoherent sounds could be emitted;
