CONCERNING ODOURS, 34-36 



their virtues from the first while they are still fresh, 

 some only after they are dried, as crocus and meUlotos^- 

 these having a certain amount of moisture while they 

 are fresh. 



These examples may suffice for study of the 

 characters and properties of spices. 



Of the medicinal properties of certain perfumes. 



VIII. Megaleion is believed to relieve the in- 

 flammation caused by any wound, and rose-perfume 

 to be excellent for the ears. And this is probable 

 enough. For the former is composed, as was said, 

 of burnt resin cassia cinnamon and myrrh, and all 

 these have astringent and drying properties : 

 while the reason why rose-perfume is good for the 

 ears is that salt is used in the manufacture of it : for 

 it is by reason of the salt that it dries and warms 

 (which is why ' sea-foam 2 ' is also good for the ears). 

 Its use against strangury however needs explanation : 

 for it is said to be specially helpful against this. 

 The explanation may be that anything which is to 

 remove the difficulty must first dissolve that which 

 is to be removed ; and this is the effect of the salt, 

 while the fragrance supplies the necessary stimulus. 



Why however, it may be asked, though iris- 

 perfume is fragrant, does it not give the stimulus ? 

 Perhaps it is because it is astringent and closes the 

 passages, so that by shutting them it prevents free 

 course. On the other hand this perfume acts as a 

 laxative on the bowels because of its heating 

 quality and because it astringes the passages leading 

 to the bladder : for, when these are closed, the 

 liquid collects in the bowels. In general iris- 

 ? Said to be a zoophyte : cf. Arist. H.A. 9. 14. 2. 



359 



