PERFUMES AS DISINFECTANTS.

Franklin Times, Volume 9, Issue 647, 5 July 1921, Page 9

PERFUMES AS DISINFECTANTS.

Persia saw the earliest develop meal of the pearfente industry. The priests In Egypt, who were the sole depositaries of science, knew the secret ol aromatic substances and prepared them. Egyptian perfumes acquired great celebrity, especially those made in Alexandria. The Israelites, during their sojourn in Egypt, adopted the nse of aromatic substances. The Jews were fond of cosmetics, and even used them to paint the face. All these perfumes were extracted from essen- 7 cegi of trees and plants. The Greeks, who loved elegance, were especially addicted to the use of perfumes, and ' they taught their secrets and usage to the Romans. The latter, in the days of their decadence, went so far as to scent the coats of their dogs Jn tV Middle Ages, the Arabs, Venetians, Genoese, and Florentines became famous for the preparation o< sweet-sijpelling essences. France die not become aeqainted with perfumes until after the Crusades, and it was Maria de Medici who specially brought th,em into favor. Makers of perfume* quickly recognised their good or ba< medicinal influences. It was remarked both! in Paris and London, during the v clholera epidemic of the nineteenth century, that no one engaged in making perfumes was ever attacked.