The
supposed medicinal properties of precious stones are subjected to a
searching criticism by the Veronese physician, Francesco India, writing
in 1593.12 After establishing the distinction between
alimentary and medicinal substances, he proceeds to exclude from the
latter category the jacinth, emerald, sapphire, etc., because although
they could be reduced to a powder, they could not be dissolved, so that
when taken in a potion they could be absorbed in the human system.13
Hence no such effects could properly be ascribed to them as were to be
expected from the regular and normal medicinal agencies. This writer
ascribes the original use of such stones as remedies for malignant
fevers and other dangerous diseases to the Arabs, adding that "had they
not made this mistake and thus led many physicians into error, they
would have been better worthy of praise." X1 In fact he does not hesitate to pronounce the emphatic opinion that these stones are not remedial agents fit to be
u Braunfels, " Reformation der Apptecken," Strassburg, 1536, fol. XIV b, XX b.
u Francisci Indiœ, " Hygiphylus, sive de febre maligna dialogus," Verona, 1593.
"Op. cit. pp. 115 sqq.
