SC - questions

[david friedman]

At 10:18 PM -0500 6/13/00, RANDALL DIAMOND wrote:

>The Cleopatra story to my understanding was that
>she shattered the pearl and dissolved it in vinegar
>which I believe was drunk as a Roman custom
>particularly in the Legions.

I think the point of the story is that she was demonstrating her 
extravagance, the peal being an extremely valuable one.

>ABSOLUTLY FORGET any thought of culinary uses
>of most of these materials.  Powdered diamond and
>corundum (Ruby or sapphire) were considered potent
>poisons in period times.

You don't powder them. You put the gemstones in the chicken soup as 
you are making it, then take them out again. Apparently the virtues 
of the stones are thus transmitted to the soup, and so to the patient.

That, at least, is what Maistre Chiquart seems to be describing in 
_Fait de Cuisine_. He says to consult a physician as to what 
gemstones are most suitable.

Incidentally, what are the sources for powdered diamond and corundum 
being considered potent poisons? I'd never heard that.

David/Cariadoc
http://www.daviddfriedman.com/