600 MEALS MEDICINAL. 
and this not in a few instances, but constantly during an extensive 
practice for several years.”” The Cabbage Rose contains a 
sweet extractive matter: which is the laxative principle; and a 
crystalline volatile oil may be obtained therefrom, which is the 
English Attar of Roses. To smell at a fragrant Rose will often 
soothe a nervous headache ; or to have the scalp gently rubbed, 
and kneaded with finger-tips first dipped in genuine Rose-water ; 
also by spraying essence of Roses over the scalp with an atomizer. 
Red Rose leaves, if over-dried (for Pot pourri, and other uses), 
become resinous, and then acquire an unpleasant smell. The 
French perfumers manage to dry the Rose petals so that they 
will remain sweet, and good even in damp weather; whereas 
English dried petals “‘ go back” -when encountering any damp. 
Probably the resin which becomes formed in the dried petals 
makes them somewhat laxative when employed in the confection, 
and likewise antiseptic. Resin is common in _ vegetables, 
existing in combination with some volatile oil. Some resins 
seem to be oxidized essential oils ; if combined with a food any 
such resin is beneficial because acting as a tonic to the mucous 
lining of the intestines, thus preventing the exudation therefrom 
of serum, and mucus. The rosined wine of Italy (see “‘ Alcohol”) 
is antiseptic, and as being resinous promotes intestinal digestion 
without relaxing the bowels. On tasting the Vino Vermuth 
at a Tuscan farm, or rustic Inn, the British pedestrian is apt 
to exclaim that the landlord has drawn the wine in a varnish pot. 
But without doubt the wholesomeness of many Greek, and 
Italian native drinks is due to their preservation from decay, 
and from secondary fermentation, by the rosin, in place of fiery, : 
and fuselly spirit. 
Rare Secrets in Physick and Chirurgery (1653) orders as “a 
gentle purge” to “take one ounce of Damask Roses, eat it all 
at one time ; fast for three-quarters of an hour after, then take 
a draught of broth, and dine.” A syrup of Red Roses is 
dispensed by our chemists, which is slightly astringent, and 
esteemed for its rich colour “As the Roose in hys Redness 
is Richest of Fleures,”"—is a quaint old maxim. ‘“ And the Rose 
itself,” sang Keats,— 
“has got 
Perfume which on earth is not.” 
But that “there is no Rose without a thorn ”’ is an adage as old 
as the hills. 
