_Sacramental Wine_ (Vol. iii., p. 179.).--From a note by MR. ALBERT WAY, on
the use of sacramental wine, one would be led to infer that it was
recommended on account of some superstitious belief in its superior
excellency from having been used in religious worship; but I would suggest
that the same reasons which recommend Teynt wine, the kind generally used
for the Sacrament, are those which have established for it a reputation in
cases of sickness: these are its rich red colour, and sweet and agreeable
flavour.
Weakness is popularly supposed to be caused by a thinness and want of
blood; if wine be recommended for this, there is a deeply rooted prejudice
in favour of red wine because the blood is red, and upon no better
principle than that which prescribes the yellow bark of the barberry for
the yellow state of jaundice; the nettle, for the nettle-rash; and the
navel-wort (_Cotyledon umbilicus_), for weakness about the umbilical
region. The truth is, that rustic practice is much influenced by the
doctrine of similitudes, the principle of "_similia similibus curantur_"
having been more extensively recognised in the olden time than since the
days of Hahnemann.
The sweetness of Teynt wine would recommend it for children, to whom a
stronger wine is generally distasteful; but Port is generally prescribed as
a tonic for adults.
It may further be remarked, that the recommendation to give Sacramental
wine might arise from the fact, that, as in some parishes more wine is
provided than is required, the remainder is put by to be given to the poor
who may require it at the hands of the clergyman.
In sending these remarks, I am led to request that your correspondents
would make Notes upon such old wives' remedies as are employed upon the
principles I have mentioned.