236 A Book of Precious Stones
of
the heliotrope, rendered its wearer invisible; it was also a specific
for dyspepsia. Carnelian cured tumors, cleared the voice, and preserved
harmony; it also stopped bleeding at the nqse. Cat's-eye cured croup
and colic—it should thus be highly favoured as a stone to be mounted in
infant's rings. Chalcedony prevented and cured melancholy; worn in
contact with the hairs of an ass it prevented danger during tempests.
Chrysoberyl alleviated asthma. Chrysoprase was good for gout. Coral was
a fever cure, and has had innumerable curative and preventive qualities
ascribed to it. The qualities ascribed to the diamond included the
power of curing insanity; powdered it was as excellent dentifrice and
it cured epilepsy. In Burma, and in the Middle Ages in Europe, the
diamond was supposed to be a poison akin to arsenic. The emerald
stopped hemorrhages; it was cooling in fevers and used to strengthen
and preserve the eyes. The garnet averted plague and was a defence
against thunder, before lightning was known to be the agent of
destruction. Jade everywhere and always has rested strong in
superstition as a cure for diseases of the kidneys. Jasper was good
for lung troubles, was a charm against scorpions and spiders, and
