Their medicinal qualities. 67
gem
if taken in with water, as sherbet, cures vomiting of blood of all
kinds. It prevents evil spirits working mischief in the minds of men,
takes off bad smell from the mouth, cures lunacy of all descriptions
and all mental diseases, jaundice, and all diseases of the heart,
intestines and stomach. Burnt Pearl mixed with water and taken
into the nostrils, as a - powder, takes away head-sickness, cures
cataract, lachryma and swelling of the eyes, the painful sensation such
as is caused by the entry of sand into them, and ulcers. It gives them
increased lustre. Used as a dentifrice it strengthens the gums and
cleans the teeth. Rubbed over the body with other medicines it cures
leprosy and the white skin disease, known in Arabic as " Bahac," in
Hindo as " Chhip " and in Bengali as " Chhuli." It cures all skin
diseases. It stops bleeding from cuts and ultimately heals them up.
Whether taken internally or externally it is a sure antidote to
poison. It drives away all imaginary fears and removes all bodily pain.
To prevent its tendency to affect the brain it should always be used
with the burnt powder of Basud, and in its absence with that of white
mother-of-pearl. The dose of the Pearl powder should not exceed 2\ mashas."
" Kerâbâdin Kabir contains full instructions as to how Pearls can be burnt, assimilated and made
