The first essay, The role of spices (and black pepper in particular) in Medieval Economic Development, traces the curious correlations between spice import and population expansion in the late Middle Ages, postulating a causation due to a supposed aphrodisiac effect of black pepper.
Esimene essee "Vürtside (ja eriti musta pipra) rollist keskaegses majandusarengus" ("The role of spices (and black pepper in particular) in Medieval Economic Development") kirjeldas huvipakkuvat seost vürtside impordi ja rahvastiku kasvu vahel hiliskeskajal, postuleerides põhjusliku seose musta pipra mõju kaudu afrodisiaakumina.