Peristaltic Persuaders

To humour that desire for the marvellous which is so universal in medical matters, the. contrivers of aperient pills have too often selected the most drastic purgatives, which operating considerably in a dose of a few grains, excite much admiration in the patient, and great faith in their powers, in proportion as a small dose produces great effects, not considering how extremely irritating such materials must be, and consequently how injurious to a stomach already in a state of debility, and perhaps deranged by yesterday's excess *.

The inventor of the "Peristaltic Persuaders" gave them that name from the peculiar mildness of their operation : one or two of these pills merely give a gentle hint to that grand organ, the stomach, and the other principal viscera, helping them to do their work a little faster, and remove what is offensive into the bowels, accelerating the process of digestion, and almost imperceptibly augmenting the alvine exoneration: if a more speedy and copious evacuation is desired, take three, or four, or five, according to circumstances.

*** These pills are prepared from a prescription of Dr. Kitch-iner's,. and sold by G. D. MidgLeY, No. 49, Strand, near the Adelphi, in boxes, 2s. 9d. each.

Stomachic Tincture

Cascarilla bark bruised, one ounce. Orange-peel dried, one ounce. Brandy, or proof spirit, one pint.

* If the body or mind be fatigued, the stomach invariably sympathizes; and the most robust find, when they do any thing too much, the stomach acts retrograde, and does too little.

Let the ingredients steep for a fortnight, and decant the clear liquor.

Dose, two or three teaspoonsful in a wineglass of water tw ice a day.

Observations

This is a most agreeable aromatic tonic to create appetite and promote digestion; and when the stomach is in a state of great debility, is generally much more acceptable to it than any of the simple or compound tinctures of the Peruvian bark, or other bitters. As the former recipe is excellent to remove indigestion, so is this a sovereign remedy to strengthen the stomach, and prevent it; and in most nervous and languid chronic complaints of that organ, will be taken with the greatest advantage.

Paregoric Elixir

A drachm of purified opium.

A drachm of flowers of benjamin.

A drachm of oil of anniseed.

Camphor, two scruples.

Steep all in a pint of brandy, or proof spirit: let it stand ten days, occasionally shaking it up. Strain.

A teaspoonful in half a pint of water gruel, taken the last thing at night, is a most effectual medicine to remove coughs and colds.

It is also excellent for children who have the hooping cough, in doses of from five to twenty drops in a little water.

Dr. Cullen's Receipt to make Water Gruel.

Water Gruel

The following is the most agreeable manner of making water gruel.

One ounce of oatmeal is sufficient to make two quarts of water gruel.

Put the oatmeal into three quarts of soft cold water, and set it over the fire. It must be constantly stirred till it boils; then let it boil till a third part of the water is boiled away; then pour it through a linen cloth into a bowl a little larger than sufficient to contain it. In this bowl leave it to cool; when it will be found separated into two parts, one of them a mealy cloud or sediment, and the other a very thin and clear liquor. The latter is to be carefully decanted, or poured off for use.

To render this more agreeable by the addition of sugar, acids, or aromatics, or to impregnate it with medicinal substances, I leave to the judgment of the nurse or physician.

See Cullen's Mat, Med. vol. i. p. 288. edit. 2 vols. 4to. Edinburgh, 1789.

Water Gruel Immediately

Mix well together, by degrees, two tablespoonful of oatmeal, and a teaspoonful of salt, with a quart of cold water; set it on the fire, and let it boil gently for fifteen or twenty minutes, occasionally stirring it to prevent the oatmeal burning at the bottom of the stewpan: skim it and strain it.

Observations

An ounce of fresh butter, a tablespoonful of brandy, and a teaspoonful of powdered sugar may be added.

In the "Way to save Wealth" London, 1697, in the 8th page are directions how to live for twopence a day: the author's observation on water gruel is, that it makes "a noble and exhilarating meal."

Anchovy Toast

Bone and wash the anchovies, and pound them in a mortar with a little fresh butter; rub them through a sieve, and spread them on a toast.

Observations

You may add, while pounding the anchovies, a little made mustard and curry powder, or a few grains of Cayenne, or a little mace or "other spice. It may be made still more savoury, by frying the toast in clarified butter.

Devilled Biscuit

Is the above composition spread on a biscuit warmed before the fire in a Dutch oven, with a sufficient quantity of salt and savoury spice, or zest, or curry powder, or cayenne pepper sprinkled over it.

Observations

This ne plus ultra of high spiced relishes, frequently makes its appearance at the fag end of a tavern dinner, when the votaries of Bacchus are determined to vie with each other in sacrificing to the jolly god, and to celebrate his festive rites, "con furore"

How To Warm Water Without Fire

There have been many contrivances to beat water, etc. immediately, by lamps variously applied : the most expeditious and easy way is, to get a frame made to carry a common tin saucepan over a patent lamp; this will make half a pint of water boil in five minutes, and is a most valuable acquisition to the sick room.

THE END.

J. MOYES, PRINTER, Grevilk Street, Hatton Garden, London.