Show spice of health during the middle ages it was as drugs rather than flavoring mediums that spices were used and as such were commercially of great value they were also prized because of their aroma which counteracted the evil smells prevalent for disease was commonly supposed to be the outcome of bad odors spices are a safeguard against disease for now we know that they have a deft definite nite antiseptic value says london tit bits magazine oil of cloves tor for instance acts as an antiseptic even in as weak a dilution as 2 parts in 1000 cinnamon bark oil in a solution of 4 parts in 1000 though carbolic acid ceases to have any antiseptic value when 58 56 parts are mixed in 1000 of water |