PLATE LXXVI. 
of mixing Quinces with grape must, to give scent to the wine. {Ibid. IV. 19.) Celsus (about the 
same date) prescribes a stew of Apples and Pears, including Quinces, to strengthen the stomach 
(IV. 19). He also recommends their outward application—especially of Quinces, to draw out matter 
(II. 33 ). 
Dioscorides (A.D. 64) mentions the Quince wine (“ KvScovirris oivos,”) as do other writers, 
and the great lawyer Ulpian (A.D. 400), draws a distinction between this, and wine properly so 
called, in the matter of testamentary disposition. ( Dig . XXXIII. 6, 9.) 
Pliny (A.D. 70), mentions Medlars and Quinces of three sorts, but says, those of the native 
sort, of lighter colour, are of most delicious scent. All sorts, he says, are put by some people in 
their guest chambers, upon the statues which are placed there, as watchers during the night 
(“ simulacra noctium conscia ”). 
Athenseus (A.D. 200) speaks of Quinces in general “as wholesome and strengthening, and 
as an antidote to poison.” (II. 53, III. 20, 21, and 22.) Isidore of Seville, the encyclopaedist of 
his day, (A.D. c. 600) says that a drink called “ Cydonitum ” is made from the fruit, by which the 
longing of people in low spirits is cheated, for both in appearance, taste, and smell, this drink 
simulates the resemblance of old wine. ( Orig . XVII. 7, 4.) Palladius, (A.D. 355,) gives two receipts 
for making Quince wine (De Re Rust. XI. 20.) 
Burton in his Anatomy of Melancholy , suggest “ Syrupus Cydoniorum de pomis ” as having 
good use against melancholy, (II. sec. 5.) The laborious Culpepper, however, who mixed his science 
so freely with astrology, gives the most complete summary of the medical value of the Quince. He 
says in his Herbal “ Old Saturn owns the tree. Quinces when they are green, help whatever 
needeth astriction ; the syrup of the juice . . . stirreth the languishing appetite. To take the 
crude fruit of Quinces is held a preservation against the force of deadly poison. The cotton, or 
down of Quinces, boiled and applied as a plaister, bringeth hair to them that are bald, and keepeth 
it from falling off, if it be ready to shed.” 
The high medical renown of the Quince may be said to have declined from the 17th century ; 
until at length in the 19th, it only finds its place with the confectioner in the still room, or in the 
hairdressers shops ; for there is yet another property belonging to the Quince, which has not yet been 
mentioned. Quince pips, or seeds, possess a peculiar gum, or mucilage of considerable power, 
which under the names of “ Bassorin,” “ Bandoline,” or any other, the perruquier may choose to give 
it, is used as a cement, or gum, for dressing the hair. Even here, however, its place is supplied in 
these days, by the cheaper gum, Tragacanth, or Gum Dragon, as it is sometimes called. 
