PERFUMES.

New Zealand Graphic, Volume XIX, Issue V, 24 July 1897, Page 137

PERFUMES.

THE MOST AGREEABLE NOT THE MOST HELPFUL TO NERVES. The perfumes which are most agreeable to the senses are not always the most helpful to the nerves. Ambergris, for instance, is positively offensive to many, yet it is said to possess a wonderful power of clearing the brain and driving away those evil spirits known as the * blues.’ On the other hand attar of roses, with the suggestion of glowing suns and gorgeous eastern colour, predisposes one to tears. A faint odour of musk acts as a tonic, while civet brings drowsiness of soul, for which the best antidote is the pungent odour of sandal wood. The fragrance of citron and aloe wood is as soothing to nervous people as far-off music. Many perfumes, delightful in the open air, become particularly disagreeable in a close room. A whole evening can be spoiled by the presence of tuberose or lilies in a reception-room. Their strong fragrance has a very bad effect. Magnolia blossoms, too, have a delightful perfume in their native grove, but woe to her who sleeps through the night with a single blossom on her pillow. There are many fragrant flowers, such as carnations, clove pink, sweetbriar and apple blossoms, that are as beneficial as thev are sweet-scented. A vivid perfume is nearly always bracing, while a subtle one is generally enervating. One may become positively intoxicated through inhaling the odour of the peach, almond, wild cherry, and other blossoms of the same class, because they all contain a suggestion of prussic acid.