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CHAP. 37. (20.)—HÆMATITES: FIVE REMEDIES. SCHISTOS: SEVEN REMEDIES.

Schistos and hæmatites1 have a certain affinity between them. The latter is found in mines, and, when burnt, has just the colour2 of minium.3 It is calcined in the same manner as Phrygian stone, but is not quenched in wine. Adulterations of it are detected by the appearance of red veins in it, and by its comparative friability. It is marvellously useful as an application for bloodshot eyes, and, taken internally, it acts as a check upon female discharges. To patients vomiting blood, it is administered in combination with pomegranate-juice. It is very efficacious also for affections of the bladder; and it is taken with wine for the cure of wounds inflicted by serpents.

In all these cases the stone called "schistos"4 is efficacious, though not in so high a degree as the other; the most serviceable being that which resembles saffron in colour. Applied with woman's milk, it is particularly useful for arresting discharges from the corners of the eyes,5 and it is also very serviceable for reducing procidence of those organs. Such, at least, is the opinion of the authors who have most recently written on the subject.

1 Or "blood-stone," mentioned already in Chapter 25 of this Book.

2 He is evidently speaking here of the red peroxide of iron.

3 Vermilion. See B. xxxiii. c. 37.

4 Literally, "split" stone; so called, probably, from its laminated form. Ajasson identifies it with yellow or brown iron ore, known in Mineralogy as Limonite, or Brown Hematite.

5 "Explendis oculorum lacunis."

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