The Olneyville tribune. (Providence, R.I.) 1893-189?, 1894-06-09
DANGERS IN FLOWERS.
Tislr Odors srs Hurtfvi te HssIth,
Science Says.


Science has succeeded fairly well
in making humanity shudder over
every bite or sup it takes because OF
the deadly microbes that are said to
abide in everything eatable or drink
able, and now il has started of on an
entirely new crusade. You mustn't
smell flowers now, or, IL you do, you
take the consequences which science
says this aesthetic pleasure entails.
A very learned French specialist,
VI. Joal, has just issued in Paris a
treatise bearing the title lie Danger
des Fleurs." He writes most pro-
foundly of the chemical decomposi.
tion OF the atmosphere caused by the
odors given of by flowers, and the
consequent great increase of carbonic
gas; of the partial asphyxia which
results to human beings breathing
this vitiated air; and Of the poison
ing Of the system caused by inhaling
the emanations OF the essential oils
contained in flowers. He backs up
his assertions as TO the subtle vicious
ness of flowers by citing individual
cases.
NJ. Joal says the smell of flowers is
especially injurious to the vocal
organs. The rose, and all flowers
with a strong scent, should, he pro-
tests, be avoided. He knows of oper-
attic singers who have completely lost
their voices through their passion for
certain flowers. To some persons
the perfume of the violet is particu-
larly injurious. Others should avoid
the lilac. and others the gardenia.
Personal susceptibility has much to
do with the Injurious effects that may
result from smelling certain flowers,
and NJ. Joal cannot therefore, say
what particular flowers should be
avoided by certain temperaments.
The writer cites case of young
woman who used invariably to faint at
the smell of orange blossoms. The
curious conjunction Of n susceptible
young woman and bridal wreath in
this illustration might lead to the
supposition that there is IN ore in the
case than VI. Joal makes apparent.
He tells Of soldier who lost consci-
BUSINESS under the effect Of the odor
from a peony, and alleges that per-
sons have been known to suffer a
violent attack OF coryza from smell
ing roses. 1t is suggested that great
percentage Of the headaches, colds
in the head, and the like ailments
from which people, especially women,
suffer on the morning after attending
q ball, dinner party, or other social
function, is direct result of the odors
of the floral decorations. This will,
at least, be useful in supplying a new
excuse to the man who wakes up in
the morning with "a head.
AS to the evil effects of flowers on
the voices Of opera singers, the teacher
Faure in his work on the voice and
singing cautions singers against
keeping flowers in their homes or in
their dressing rooms at the theatre.
Nine. Richard of the Paris Opera,
forbids her pupils to have flowers
about them, and 1t is asserted that
Mime. Krauss, one of the star singers
now at the Opera, refuses to stay in
room with bunch of violets. An
other singer can stand the smell Of
roses, but the perfume of lilacs
makes her hoarse. Even Nine. Calve
is cited as saying that she suffers
from dizziness and headache after sit
ting in a room containing tuberoses
or mimosa. She is quoted as giving
an instance where, after singing at a
concert, she received bouquet of
lilac, and after inhaling the perfume
II minute or so, she completely lost
her voice, and did not regain
it until she had taken a walk in the
open air.
This suggest n serious consideration
of the custom Of presenting bouquets
Of flowers to singers, or of sending
boxes Of flowers to ones best girl.
In fact, if VI. Joal knows what he is
talking about, sciences new crusade
means revolution, as well in the
world of fancy as in that of fact.