MYSTICAL AND MEDICINAL PROPERTIES 313
So
powerful and mysterious were their alleged virtues, that in some
instances it was necessary only that the pearls be worn to make
effective their prophylaxis against disease. This belief was by no
means confined to the ignorant and inexperienced, for we are told that
even Pope Adrian was never without his amulet made of the extraordinary
combination of oriental pearls, a dried toad, etc.1 Leonardo, in the fifteenth century, wrote that pearls render true and virtuous all who wear them.2
Although we wonder at what we call the superstitions of the Middle
Ages, perchance future generations will smile at many of our mistaken
follies.
A
prominent historical instance of administering pearls medicinally was
in the treatment of Charles VI of France (1368—1422), to whom pearl
powder mixed with distilled water was given for the cure of insanity.
A
far more illustrious patient was Lorenzo de' Medici, "The Magnificent"
(1448-1492), the celebrated ruler of Florence. When this plebeian
prince lay dying of a fever at Careggi, just after that famous
interview with Savonarola, his friends called in Lazaro da Ticino, a
physician of reputation, who administered pulverized pearls. Politian,
who was present, is credited with the statement that when the medicine
was administered, to the inquiry as to how it tasted, Lorenzo replied :
"As pleasant as anything can be to a dying man."3
Even
the English philosopher, Francis Bacon (1561-1626), mentioned pearls
among medicines for the prolongation of life. He adds : "Pearls are
taken, either in a fine powder or in a kind of paste or solution made
by the juice of very sour and fresh lemons. Sometimes they are given in
aromatic confections, sometimes in a fluid form. Pearls no doubt have
some affinity with the shells wherein they grow ; perhaps may have
nearly the same qualities as the shells of crawfish."4
Powdered
pearl or mother-of-pearl mixed with lemon juice was used as a wash for
the face, and was considered "the best in the world."5 The
pearl powder and lemon juice were permitted to stand for a day or two
and the combination was then filtered before using. Another method of
preparing this was :
Dissolve
two or three ounces of fine seed,pearl in distilled vinegar, and when
it is perfectly dissolved, pour the vinegar into a clean basin ; then
drop some oil of tartar upon it, and it will cast down the pearl into
fine powder; then pour the vinegar clean off softly; put to the pearl
clear conduit or spring water ; pour that off, and do so often until
the taste of the vinegar and tartar
