Breath, fetid, a misfortune to which many persons are liable, though they appear to be in perfect health. It may arise from various causes., the principal of which are, carious teeth, putrid gums, ul-cerations of the lungs, or some peculiarity in the constitution of the individual.

It it originate from hollow teeth, care should be taken that no frag-ments of provisions, and especially cheese, remain in them, alter eating : hence the mouth ought to be washed or properly rinsed after ever meal with tepid water, or lukewarm chamomile tea. A similar precaution is necessary, when the teeth are carious, or the gums in a flaccid and spongy state : but if the lungs or other organs of respiration be diseased, due regard ought to be paid to the primary affection, of which we shall treat under the head of Pulmonary Consumption-. In this case, as well as in some peculiar habits, where the real cause of fetid gums cannot be easily ascertained, the skill of the practitioner is frequently baffled ; yet we shall venture to suggest a remedy which has, in a great variety of instances, been attended with the desired effect. Many persons afflicted with that disagreeable complaint are, also, subject to habitual costiveness which cannot, in general, be relieved without administering laxatives: these, by relaxing the bowels ultimately tend to injure the constitution. On the other hand, we have observed from experience, that finely powdered charcoal, newly prepared, and kept in close vessels, has a remarkable tendency to open the bowels, without inducing an extraordinary degree of weakness, especially if it be mixed with the syrup of yellow roses. For this purpose, a table-spoonful of each, diluted with a little water, should be taken two or three times every day, according to to circumstances. Thus, if the patient abstain, for some time, from the use of animal food, the most distressing costiveness maybe gradually relieved with perfect safety to the constitution ; while the carbon acts on the whole system as the most effectual antiseptic with which we are acquainted. To increase the effect of this mild medicine, a tea-spoonful of squill vinegar may occasionally be added to each dose, together with a little cinnamon or other aromatic water.

The best palliatives for sweetening an offensive breath, are gargles consisting simply of lime-water ; or a decoction of the Peruvian bark; or a liquor made by mixing two ounces of compound alum-water, and half an ounce of essence of lemons, with three ounces and a half of fennel-water, which should be frequently used previous to going into company,