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CHAP. 50. (24.)—PROPOLIS: FIVE REMEDIES.

Honey would be held in no less esteem than laser, were it not for the fact that nearly every country produces it.1 Laser is the production of Nature herself; but, for the formation of honey, she has created an insect, as already described.2 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,3 which we find in the hives, as already4 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 pre- vents putrefaction5 from supervening, by reason of its sweet- ness solely, and not any inherent acridity, its natural properties being altogether different from those of salt. It is employed with the greatest success for affections6 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 inflate7 the stomach; it increases the bilious secretions also, produces qualmishness, and, according to some, if employed by itself, is injurious8 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,9 when treating of the nature of bees, and secondly, when speaking10 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.

1 It is this. in fact, combined with its utility, that ought to cause it to be so highly esteemed.

2 In B. xi. c. 4, et seq.

3 Bee-bread, or bee-glue.

4 In B. xi. c. 6. It is a vegetable substance, Fée says, not claborated by the bees. It is still employed in medicine, he says, for resolutive fumigations.

5 The Babylonians employed it for the purpose of embalming.

6 It is of an emollient nature, and is preferred to sugar for sweetening liquids, in a multitude of instances.

7 Fée denies this; but there is no doubt that honey has this tendency with some persons.

8 Fée says that this is not the case.

9 In B. xi. c. 13.

10 In B. xxi. c. 44.

The Natural History. Pliny the Elder. John Bostock, M.D., F.R.S. H.T. Riley, Esq., B.A. London. Taylor and Francis, Red Lion Court, Fleet Street. 1855.

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