Honey would be held in no less esteem than laser, were it not for the fact that nearly every country produces it.[2710] Laser is the production of Nature herself; but, for the formation of honey, she has created an insect, as already described.[2711] The uses to which honey is put are quite innumerable, if we only consider the vast number of compositions in which it forms an ingredient. First of all, there is the propolis,[2712] which we find in the hives, as already[2713] mentioned. This substance has the property of extracting stings and all foreign bodies from the flesh, dispersing tumours, ripening indurations, allaying pains of the sinews, and cicatrizing ulcers of the most obstinate nature.
As to honey itself, it is of so peculiar a nature, that it prevents putrefaction[2714] from supervening, by reason of its sweetness solely, and not any inherent acridity, its natural properties being altogether different from those of salt. It is employed with the greatest success for affections[2715] of the throat and tonsils, for quinsy and all ailments of the mouth, as also in fever, when the tongue is parched. Decoctions of it are used also for peripneumony and pleurisy, for wounds inflicted by serpents, and for the poison of fungi. For paralysis, it is prescribed in honied wine, though that liquor also has its own peculiar virtues. Honey is used with rose-oil, as an injection for the ears; it has the effect also of exterminating nits and foul vermin of the head. It is the best plan always to skim it before using it.
Still, however, honey has a tendency to inflate[2716] the stomach; it increases the bilious secretions also, produces qualmishness, and, according to some, if employed by itself, is injurious[2717] to the sight: though, on the other hand, there are persons who recommend ulcerations at the corners of the eyes to be touched with honey.
As to the elementary principles of honey, the different varieties of it, the countries where it is found, and its characteristic features, we have enlarged upon them on previous occasions: first,[2718] when treating of the nature of bees, and secondly, when speaking[2719] of that of flowers; the plan of this work compelling us to separate subjects which ought properly to be united, if we would arrive at a thorough knowledge of the operations of Nature.
CHAP. 51.—THE VARIOUS INFLUENCES OF DIFFERENT ALIMENTS UPON THE DISPOSITION.
While speaking of the uses of honey, we ought also to treat of the properties of hydromel.[2720] There are two kinds of hydromel, one of which is prepared at the moment, and taken while fresh,[2721] the other being kept to ripen. The first, which is made of skimmed honey, is an extremely wholesome beverage for invalids who take nothing but a light diet, such as strained alica for instance: it reinvigorates the body, is soothing to the mouth and stomach, and by its refreshing properties allays feverish heats. I find it stated,[2722] too, by some authors, that to relax the bowels it should be taken cold, and that it is particularly well-suited for persons of a chilly temperament, or of a weak and pusillanimous[2723] constitution, such as the Greeks, for instance, call “micropsychi.”
For there is a theory,[2724] remarkable for its extreme ingenuity, first established by Plato, according to which the primary atoms of bodies, as they happen to be smooth or rough, angular or round, are more or less adapted to the various temperaments of individuals: and hence it is, that the same substances are not universally sweet or bitter to all. So, when affected with lassitude or thirst, we are more prone to anger than at other times.[2725] These asperities, however, of the disposition, or rather I should say of the mind,[2726] are capable of being modified by the sweeter beverages; as they tend to lubricate the passages for the respiration, and to mollify the channels, the work of inhalation and exhalation being thereby unimpeded by any rigidities. Every person must be sensible of this experimentally, in his own case: there is no one in whom anger, affliction, sadness, and all the emotions of the mind may not, in some degree, be modified by diet. It will therefore be worth our while to observe what aliments they are which exercise a physical effect, not only upon the body, but the disposition as well.
CHAP. 52.—HYDROMEL: EIGHTEEN REMEDIES.
Hydromel is recommended, too, as very good for a cough: taken warm, it promotes vomiting. With the addition of oil it counteracts the poison of white lead;[2727] of henbane, also, and of the halicacabum, as already stated,[2728] if taken in milk, asses’ milk in particular. It is used as an injection for diseases of the ears, and in cases of fistula of the generative organs. With crumb of bread it is applied as a poultice to the uterus, as also to tumours suddenly formed, sprains, and all affections which require soothing applications. The more recent writers have condemned the use of fermented hydromel, as being not so harmless as water, and less strengthening than wine. After it has been kept a considerable time, it becomes transformed into a wine,[2729] which, it is universally agreed, is extremely prejudicial to the stomach, and injurious to the nerves.[2730]