Re: Parthian royal ointment.....
Posted by Eliz. on February 04, 2000 at 16:19:52:
In Reply to: Re: Parthian royal ointment..... posted by Catherine Cartwright Jones on February 02, 2000 at 05:46:54:
: Mummies and such have traces of opiates in them ...
Have I unearthed another Elizabeth Peters fan?
: I'd always wondered why greasing (annointing) ones hair and beard
: would be such a big deal
Well, I've been told that caucasian hair follicles tend to generate
more grease naturally than several other races, so there may be some
element there...also, in a hot, dry climate, grease would be a
conditioner. Combined with frequent bathing, it would also tend to
produce glossy hair & beard - without the bathing, the dust would
probably negate that effect quickly.
: only gave one a great buzz, but was addictive too ... that would
: explain why they bought it not only once, but repeatedly, and were
: willing to squander so much money on it, and ascribe to it such
great
: magical import.
The magical import could possibly be due to the effect on others.
: How easily will laudanum penetrate skin?
I have little or no clue. All references I've seen require ingestion
(or smoking). Then again, if there's henna as well as opiates, I
can't imagine it tasting good.