Fluidal Theory

The Marquis de la Taillade-Espinasse believed that the earth itself constantly emits a corrupting gas called fluidum letale which, allegedly, lames vital energies and later utterly extinguishes them. All living creatures should endeavour to distance themselves from the earth by growing away from it and avoiding earth-bound products.

The proposed treatment for those suffering from fluidum letale: five days of decontamination and revitalisation - fluidum vitale.

Fluidum vitale -  the patient is constantly surrounded by a stream of purified air and fed a diet of earth-removed regions such as:

~ dove bouillon
~ lark pie
~ ragout of wild duck
~ preserves of fruit picked from the trees
~ bread made from a special wheat grown in high altitudes
~ wine from the Pyrenees
~ chamois milk
~ frozen frothy meringue from hens kept in the attic of the mansion.

* Suskind, Patrick (2010) Perfume The Story of a Murderer London: Penguin Group *