Saffron Bags

In almost all old works on Materia Medica the use of these bags is mentioned. Quincy, in his *Dispensatory*, 1730, p. 179., says:— "Some prescribe it (saffron) to be worn with camphire in a bag at the pit of the stomach for *melancholy*; and others affirm that, so used, it will cure agues." Ray observes (*Cat. Plant. Angl.*, 1777, p. 84.): "Itemque in sacculo suspenditur sub mento vel gutture ad dissipandam sc. materiam putridam et venenatam, ne ibidem stagnans, inflammationen excitet, ægrotumque strangulet." The origin of the "saffron bag", is probably to be explained by the strong aromatic o…