130 THE MAGIC OF JEWELS AND CHARMS
Thomas de Cantimpré29 tells
us that the beryl cures quinsy and swollen glands in the neck if the
affected part be rubbed with the stone. It is also useful as a remedy
for diseases of the eye, and if water in which it has been steeped be
given to anyone suffering from an attack of hiccoughs, relief will be
afforded.
The
beryl was warmly recommended as a cure for injuries to the eyeball,
even of the most serious kind. For use in such cases the stone was to
be pulverized in a mortar, and this powder then passed through a fine
sieve. Of the minute particles thus secured, a small quantity was to be
introduced each morning into the injured eye, the patient being in a
recumbent posture. He was then to keep properly quiet with his eyes
shut for a considerable length of time after this operation. Although
it was not indeed claimed that where the power of sight had been
destroyed it could thus be restored, still even in case of such severe
injury the eyeball was healed sooner and assumed a better appearance.
In less serious cases a cure was considered to be assured.30
Many
virtues are attributed to carbuncles. It is related that those who wear
them can resist poisons and are preserved from the pest. They
dissipate sadness, control incontinence, avert evil thoughts and
dreams, exhilarate the soul and foretell misfortunes to man by losing
their native splendor.31
a Konrad von Megenberg's fourteenth century version, " Buch der Natur," ed. by Dr. Franz Pfeiffer, Stuttgart, 1861, p. 436.
"Andrete
Baccii, "De Gemmi s et Lapidibus Pretiosis" (Latin version by Wolfgang
Gabelchover of the Italian original), Francofurti, 1603, pp. 100, 101,
Note of Gabelchover.
** Johann is Braunii, " De Vestitu Sacerdotum Hebraorum," Ametelodami, 1680, pp. 672-3.
