Medieval Mentality
The Land of Beer Abundance
It is told about this spring, or the water flowing from it, that it tastes exactly like ale and is very abundant. It is also said that if drunk to excess, it goes into one’s head.” […]
Science
Greek and Roman
Vinegar the Miracle Drink
“A gargle of vinegar and water helps in heat exhaustion, and the same mixture is a very good restorative for the eyes when used as a fomentation.” […]
Britons and Celts
Curiosity Killed the Bacon
“They alighted out of the coach, and went into a woman woman’s house at the bottom of Highgate Hill, and bought a hen, and make the woman exenterate [disembowel] it, and then stuff the body with snow.” […]
Medieval Mentality
What Can Change the Nature of a Man?
“Gentlemen, here is something that puzzles me, because I cannot account for it. How is it that in the kingdoms of Persia, which are such near neighbours of ours, there are folk so unruly and contentious that they are forever killing one another, whereas among us, who are all but one with them, there is hardly an instance of provocation or brawling?” […]
Greek and Roman
The Emperor and the Academics
“You don’t give me good advice, my friends,” said Favorinus, “when you don’t allow me to believe the man who possesses 30 legions to be more learned than anyone else!” […]
Greek and Roman
The Many Uses of Garlic
“It heals the wounds which these animals inflict equally well whether it is applied to them, or taken in food or drink. When taken with honey, it heals the bite of a dog.” […]
Greek and Roman
The Truth About Almonds
“Almonds make one sleepy, provoke urination, and bring on a woman’s period.” […]
Greek and Roman
Crappy Medicine
“So first, take wolf droppings, preferably from a wolf who has eaten bones; enclose them in an earthenware vessel and bind it on the right arm or shoulder.” […]
Greek and Roman
The Kingdom of the Body
“The head is an empire, the stomach a kingdom, the belly a hovel, but the bladder is a hired hand.” […]
Greek and Roman
Sex Berries
“There is an extraordinarily tall story to the effect that if one covers the penis with it before intercourse, it acts as a contraceptive.” […]