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ON THERAPEUTIC USES OF STONES 371
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regarded
as especially appropriate for use in ecclesiastical rings. Among
purple stones, the amethyst is particularly noteworthy. The well-known
belief that this gem counteracted the effects of undue indulgence in
intoxicating beverages is indicated by its name, derived from μεβύω — " to be intoxicated," and the privative a, the
name thus signifying the "sobering" gem. It is not unlikely that a
fancied resemblance between the prevailing hue of these stones and
that of certain kinds of wine first gave rise to the name and to the
idea of the peculiar virtues of the amethyst.
We
have mentioned only a few of the more obvious analogies suggested by
the color of gems, and we might be tempted to cite many others were it
not that symbolism is always treacherous ground, since there is
practically no limit to the correspondences that may be found between
sensuous impressions and ideas.
One
great difficulty which besets any one who is trying to find a clue to
guide him through the labyrinth of the medical affinities of gems is
the fact that there was, from an early period, a tendency to attribute
the virtues of one gem to another, probably owing to the commercial
instinct which urged the dealer to praise his wares in every possible
way, so that no part of his stock should fail to find a purchaser. This
tendency is especially marked in the old Hindu Lapidaries, wherein it
is almost impossible to find any differentiation of the stones in
respect to their curative or talismanic virtues. Only the condition and
perfection of the gems are made the criterion of their worth. Any
given stone, if perfect, was a source of all blessings to the wearer
and possessed all remedial powers, while a defective stone, or one
lacking the proper lustre or color, was destined to be a source of
untold misfortune to the owner.
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