There is preserved, in the College of Physicians of London, a cane which was carried successively by Drs. Radcliffe, Mead, Askew, Pitcairn, and Baillie. On it are coats-of-arms used by the distinguished carriers of it. The gold head of it is in the form of a crooked cross-bar, and not a knob,—the orthodox one. A book has been written with it for the title, treating of its several owners.[526] THE PHYSICIAN’S DRESS.—At the present time there is nothing about the dress of the physician symbolic of his calling. Formerly the case was different. Until less than a century ago, the dress of the members of the medical profession was both decidedly typical and remarkable. It was worn last, it is said, by Dr. Henry Revell Reynolds, one of the physicians of George III. The items of it were: a well-powdered three-tailed wig, a silk coat, breeches, stockings, buckled shoes, and lace ruffles. Says Jeaffreson: “Next to his cane, the physician’s wig was the most important of his accoutrements. It gave profound learning and wise thought to lads just out of their teens.”[527] If this were the case it should be coaxed into use again. THE PHYSICIAN’S RING.—Among the ancients, rings were held in high esteem. The signet of Solomon, which had considerable to do with the building of the great temple, and the ring of Gyges, the shepherd of the king of Lydia, through which he could become invisible and see people at pleasure, are examples of the surprising powers often accorded to them. One was, until a period not far distant, an important item of the insignia of the medical man. It is spoken of in one of the spurious Hippocratic works. The seal variety was the orthodox one. Different stones were used, and on these were engraved various designs. As indicative of his position, a learned writer says that the doctor wore the ring “on the third finger of the right hand.”[528] The physician’s ring was viewed generally in the light of an amulet, or talisman. The engraving it bore had much to do with its supposed virtues; and the stone also gave it special value. Aubrey thus refers to a sapphire ring: “They say it preserves from infection and pestilential diseases. See Albertus Magnus _de hoc_. I warrant he has recited virtues enough of it.”[529] Red carnelian was believed to be curative of hæmorrhage, and coral of nervous affections. CHAPTER XIX. MEDICAL SYMBOLISM IN PRACTICE.