132 THE MAGIC OF JEWELS AND CHARMS
on the secretions of the mucous membrane, on the bile and on certain morbid secretions.38
Although the chemical constituents of coral have but slight medicinal
value, it is quite possible that some effects upon the secretions may
have been observed experimentally after the administration of a dose of
powdered coral.
An
old pharmacopoeia gives elaborate directions for the preparation of the
"Tincture of Coral." A branch of very red coral was to be buried in
melted wax, and allowed to remain over a fire for the space of two
days, "after which time you will see that the coral has become white,
while the wax has assumed a red hue." A fresh branch of coral is then
to be put into the partially colored wax, and the above operation
repeated ; the wax will then be "redder than before." It is now to be
broken into crusts, which are to be steeped in alcohol until the liquid
has extracted the coloring matter from the wax and has become reddish.
In this way, after the removal of the wax by filtration, etc., a
tincture was obtained which is represented to have been an excellent
tonic, and to have had the power to expel "bad humors," by inducing
perspiration, or by its diuretic action.36 We strongly suspect that in this, as in many modern "tonics," the contents of spirit was the active principle.
An
apparent confirmation of the widespread belief of former centuries that
red coral changed its hue in sympathy with the state of the wearer's
health, caused perhaps by the exudations or sweats arising from fevers
or other ailments, is given from personal experience by the German
physician, Johann Wittich. Writing toward the end of the sixteenth
century, this author relates that he was called in to attend a youth
named Bernard Erasmus, son of the burgomaster of
"Garbe, "Die indische Mineralien"; Naharari's "Rajanighaptu," Varga ΧΙΠ, Leipzig, 1882, p. 76.
" Lêmery, " Cursus Chymicus," Latin version by De Rebecque, Geneva, 1681, p. 338.
