Read about him here:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hubertus
http://saints.sqpn.com/saint-hubert-of-liege/
Do you know about St. Hubert's key? Well, I didn't until I came across this rather fascinating little French bronze medal. Sure, I understand about the hunter's horn, and the hound, and the horse, and the stag...but what about the key? It usually took the form of a metal nail or bar with a decorative head, but on the medal it's the traditional skeleton key form, which suits me just fine because I think they're beautiful. St. Hubert’s Keys were a traditional European treatment for rabies that was still in use until the beginning of the twentieth century. The key was heated and the head pressed to the area where a person had been bitten by a dog, believed to have rabies. If the procedure was performed soon after the bite had occurred, the heat had the potential to cauterize and sterilize the wound, killing the rabies virus. Rabies is fatal to humans unless treated immediately with anti-rabies serum, which was only available from the 1880s. The practice was endorsed by the Catholic Church and such keys were used by priests at places with which St. Hubert was associated. St. Hubert was one of many Christian saints to cure rabies and legend has it that the key was given to him by St. Peter. The necklace measures 16.5", but can be hooked higher on the chain, as in the picture of the poor girl looking out for rabid dogs. The length of the chain may be adjusted by request. The 2.5" focal drop consists of an antique skeleton key and a lovely solid bronze 'Clef de St. Hubert' medal. Solid aged brass chain and findings.
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