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Lapis Judaicus, Jew's Stone



Gemmarum et Lapidum Historia, Tollius, 1647

Metallotheca Vaticana, Mercati, 1719
Aldrovandi, Musaeum metallicum, 1648
Lapis Judaicus (Culcutta Unani College, Adam, 2019)

   Fossilised Balanocidaris with attached 'Jew's Stone'

'Male' and 'Female' stones were differentiated. The Male are larger, striated and were regarded as best for Kidney Stones. The Female are smaller, smooth, and regarded as better for Bladder Stones.

Avicenna noted that it weakens the Stomach and reduces appetite.
Salmon, Seplasium:
It is called in Greek Ioudaicos; in Arabic Hager-alieudi; in Latin Lapis Judaicus, Phrenicites. Aetius called it Lapis Syriacus; Pliny called it Tecolite, Tecolithos or Techo-lithos; in English, Jew's Stone.

It is found in India, Judea and Silesia.

It is a round stone shaped like an Olive, some longer, some shorter, is friable and striate, whitish or grayish colored and easily broken, streaked with lines of equal
distance. Those from Syria were said to be best and are called Male, the lesser types are called Female.

It is good for Gravel and Stones in the Kidneys and Bladder according to Boetius and Dioscorides. It opens all obstructions.

Dose: 1 scruple–1/2 dram or 2 scruple of the very fine powder in 4 ounces of warm water, or preferably a decoction of Chickpeas