Curious old Recipe For Long Life.

Horowhenua Chronicle, 28 August 1913, Page 4

Curious old Recipe For Long Life.

Among; the many philosophers who have gvien to the world secrets by which human life may he prolonged was Arnold deYilleneu\>, a one-timed noted physician of Paris, who was connected with the University of that city. After gaining l fame in France, I)e Yilleneuve went to Italy, where he devoted twenty years to the study of astrology and alchemy. His recipes for prolonging life were most curnnis, and one lias been preserved and is as follows : "The person wishing to-keep alive for ■'!()() or 400 years must thoroughly rub his bodv three times a week with the juice of cassia . When he retired to bed each night lie must place over his heart, a plaster made of saffron, red rose leaves, sandalwood aloes and amber. Tpon the mixture there must be poured some oil of roses and melted wax, the whole then spread as a plaster. In the morning this must all be carefully removed, put in a box of lead, and kept for use the next night. "The food of the man must be looked after in this wise. Tf he has a temperament that leads him look on the bright side of things, he must keep sixteen chickens in the yard where there is absolutely pure air and good water, and is Ifo eat one each day. If he has 1 a rather dull and matter-of-fact temperament he must keep twentyfive chickens in this yard : if he is of melancholy cast of mind and looks at the dark side of life, the number of birds must be exactly thirty, but in any event one a day must be eaten. j "The chickens are so treated that their food gains the finalities that will prolong the life of him who eats them. They are to be kept without food till in a famishing condition, and then fed upon broth that is to be made of serpents cooked in ' vinegar and thickened with brain. Tor two months they eat this, and then fit for the table. The dnnk allowed In this diet is either wine or a simple claret. __ "By following this rule strictly for two months after the passing of every seven years, a man ma;? become the rival of Methuselah himself."