Beef Tea

Beef tea is usually made by cutting a pound of lean beef into very thin slices or shreds, and boiling it with two blades of mace in a quart of water. When the scum rises, carefully remove it while it continues boiling, for about a quarter of an hour.

But on considering the effect of heat on the volatile and spirituous parts of the animal fibre, when immersed in a fluid medium, we venture to suggest a more economical method of preparing beef tea.

Instead of boiling the meat, we would advise it to be minced fine, then to be reduced to a pulp with a wooden pestle, in an iron or marble mortar, and so express all its juice; strain it off, and add a little spice, and an equal or larger proportion of boiling water.

Observations

Thus the whole essence of the meat will be preserved, part of which would be volatilized by cooking. Nor does it admit of a doubt, that by such a mode of preparing it, half a pound of beef is nearly equal to a whole pound used according to the old method.

A Fine Strengthening Mutton Broth

Two pounds of mutton or veal cut small, a quarter pound of pearl barley, two quarts of water; let it simmer slowly till it will rub through a hair sieve to the thickness of cream; while preparing, take care to skim it well, and remove the fat

Barley Water

Take a couple of ounces of pearl barley, wash it clean with cold water, and put it into half a pint of boiling water, and let it boil for five minutes; pour off this water, and add to it two quarts of boiling water: boil it to two pints, and strain it.

The above is simple barley water; to a quart of this is frequently added Two ounces of figs, sliced.

The same of raisins, stoned.

Half an ounce of liquorice, sliced and bruised;

And a pint of water.

Boil till it is reduced to a quart, and strain.

Observations

These drinks are intended to assuage thirst in ardent fevers and other inflammatory disorders, where plenty of mild diluting liquor is one of the principal remedies; and if not suggested by the medical attendant, frequently demanded by honest instinct, in terms too plain to be misunderstood: as the stomach sympathizes with every fibre of the human frame, no part of it can be distressed, without in some degree offending the stomach; therefore it is of the utmost importance to soothe this grand organ, by rendering every thing we offer to it as elegant and agreeable as the nature of the case will admit of: the barley drink prepared according to the second receipt, will be received with pleasure by the most delicate palate.

Sanative English Tea

Agrimony, and ground ivy, equal quantities; and half as much of the following; sweet marjoram, pennyroyal, lavender, rose, and cowslip flower leaves.

Chop and mix them together, and use them as India tea.

Toothach And Anti-Rheumatic Embrocation

Sal volatile, three parts.

Laudanum, one part.

Mix, and rub (he part affected frequently).