Note 121.1 — The Evolution of Religion
Reading edition
Cf. Blood-purification in Vedic ritual, Hillebrandt, Vedische Opfer und Zauber, p. 179 (evil spirits driven away by a reed dipped in blood of the sacrifice, p. 176): in the Lupercalia at Rome the foreheads of youths were smeared with the blood of the sacrificed goat and dog and then wiped with wool dipped in milk, probably a piacular ceremony; vide W. Fowler, The Roman Festivals, p. 311.