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ON THERAPEUTIC USES OF STONES 369
qualities
of precious stones for the cure or prevention of disease and the
properly medicinal use of them as "mineral substances. In the former
case the effect was attained by merely wearing them on the person,
while in the latter case they were reduced to a powder, which was
dissolved as far as possible in water or some other liquid and then
taken internally. As, however, the end to be attained is the same
whether the stone be worn or taken internally as a powder or liquid, it
seems more logical to treat of both these methods of therapeutic use
together, reserving for the chapter on the talismanic use of gems only
their employment to avert misfortunes other than those caused by
disease, and their influence in the procuring of wealth, honors, and
happiness for their wearers.
The
belief in the curative properties of precious stones was at one time
universal among all those to whom gems were known. When we read to-day
of the various ills that were supposed to be cured by the use of these
gems, we find it difficult to understand what process of thought could
have suggested the idea of employing such ineffectual remedies. It is
true that the constituents of certain stones can be absorbed by the
human body and have a definite effect upon it, but the greater part of
the elements are so combined that they cannot be assimilated, and they
pass through the system without producing any apparent effect.
In
ancient and medieval times, however, other than chemical agencies were
supposed to be efficient in the cure of diseases, and the primitive
animistic conception of the cause of illness, and hence of the
therapeutics of disease, long held sway among those who practised the
medical art. Remedies were prized because of their rarity, and also
because it was believed that certain spiritual or
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