Supposedly intended to protect users from the plague. See below.
As a cultural historian, I can tell you that it was hardly the first such concoction -- there had been hundreds, possibly thousands over the centuries -- and it wouldn't be the last. I've seen many different recipes.
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"Ask FunTrivia" strives to offer the best answers possible to trivia questions. We ask our submitters to thoroughly research questions and provide sources where possible. Feel free to post corrections or additions. This is server B184.