Jasper County Democrat, Volume 6, Number 42, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 23 January 1904 — A Costly Cure. [ARTICLE]

A Costly Cure.

The hydrlnus, or serpentine, caUM in Italy ranocchia, or frogskin, from Its mottled appearance, a stone of a rich, dark green color, with shades and spots resembling a serpent’s skin, Is popularly believed to be a specific for rheumatism. Camlilo Leonardo, one of the earliest authorities to describe carefully the virtues of precious stones, thus quaintly speaks of It: "It restores such sufferers to health if they will stand In the sun, bolding it in the band for three hours, as it causes the discharge of all the poisonous moisture In ithe body.” Great care, however, must bfe taken, he warns us,.in using it, an It tends at the same time to abstract the natural moisture of the body. Ground to a powder and taken inwardly, It is said to cure the stone and venomous bites, and in particular it is a potent charm to drive away serpents of all sorts. Though soft enough to be easily cut or turned, serpentine admits of a high polish and Is much prized for ornamental purposes.