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 Small, round, soft-sugar pastilles, bright lilac in colour, strongly scented and flavoured with flower essences.  2014 This is probably the last survival of an 18th century apothecaries' breath-freshening tablet. Though they also seem to have had other uses too; John Quincy's 'Complete English Dispensary' of 1742 suggests making a suppository for children from that "most commonly what the Confectioners sell by the Name of a Violet Comfit. They are first dipped in Oil or just rubbed over with a little Butter to ease their Passage." The flavouring agent (as in the receipt below) is not traditionally violet flowers, but the similar-smelling 'Orris' root of flowers of the iris family.  Original Receipt from 'Cyclopedia of Practical Receipts', 1891VIOLET LOZENGES Rx Orris powder 1 ounce Gum Arabic 1 ounce White sugar 2 pounds Make into a thick paste with the following Rx Cochineal 1 drachm Water 1 quart Macerate for two days  Morning Post - Tuesday 22 March 1881  |
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