The scholastics adopted the mystical interpretation of the water, but carried their discussions and inquiries concerning the fluids to be used at the performance of the rite of baptism to a ridiculous extreme. Various opinions obtained as to the question whether beer, broth, fish-sauce, mead or honey-water, lye or rose-water, might be used instead of pure water. They carried their absurdities so far as to start the question "Quid faciendum, si puer urinaret (stercorizaret) in fontem?" A distinction was also made between "aqua artificialis, naturalis, and usualis." See Hagenbach, Hist. of Doctrines, 2, 84. (See BAPTISM); (See HOLY WATER).