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Show I'm ' i ''Jli f Charm in Precious Gems jj I 1 Agairnh the Ills of Life l ' !Hjli: ,. jfrii' Many of the precious gems that nrc i f . eo highly valued as ornaments were 'if'!!'' "ce supposed to possess curative pow ers. The amethyst, for Instance, wns the stono of temperance and sobrloty and was said to prevent the wearer from strong drinks and from Indulging in too much sleep. Further, It was believed be-lieved to quicken the wits and drive vapors from the head altogether a most desirable gem to have about one's person. Amethysts should certainly become fashionable. Pearls were administered ad-ministered in cases of consumption, and, when powdered, were recommended recom-mended In tcn-gniln doses to strengthen the heart. Besides these virtues they wero believed to fortify the nerves, euro weak eyes, to keep the body sound from tho decay of old age and even "a cordial cor-dial to resist the plague when taken In doses of six grains in water sweetened with manna." Amber was given to cure coughs and diseases.' of the head, while red coral was said to be "an excellent purifier of the blood and good for the liver." Jasper Jas-per was employed by the ertrly physicians physi-cians as an astringent and a cure for epilepsy and stone. It Is probable tho wonderful effects attributed to this stone wero duo more to tho faith of the patient than to the substance Itnelf. The beryl was said to help "doflux-lons "doflux-lons of the throat" and tho sardonyx "to make men cheerful and avert mel-x mel-x ancholy." The chrysolite was reputed to ward off fevers, while the onyx, when worn around the neck, was believed to prevent epileptic fits. Tho opal was said to cure weak eyes and the bloodstone blood-stone was often carried by warriors to arreBt bleeding from a toum1. . . It will be reen from this list, hloh ! might be considerably extended, tnat Se Physicians of old had in precious stones a formidable armament to com bat many of tho diseases flesh is he r to. "Whether their modern 'santh will be bold enough to try their effects remains to be seen. Who Knf .bu' wo may yet hear of the special In nervous diseases prescribing Powered jasper for his epileptic patlonts. nor need we be surprised to sen ti. NW thyst cure" advertised as JE V,IM treatment for inebriates! ' will |