powdered. The full dose is two tea-spoonsful at bed-time and early in the morning, in a tumbler of hot water. This is "the Chelsea Pensioners' recipe."

394. Influenza.-Influenza is an Italian word, and means what we express in English by almost the same word, influence. The word as applied to this disease, originated from the belief held by our ancestors, of the influence of the stars upon human affairs. When a complaint suddenly appeared, and affected great numbers without an obvious cause, the visitation was ascribed to the stars. Whatever might have been the origin of the name, it is an appropriate one, for the Influenza certainly springs from some pervading influence. It may, for anything we can prove to the contrary, be occasioned by some subtle poison diffused throughout the atmosphere, which medical men call a miasm. Bad air, rising from marshy ground, occasions ague; and bad air arising from drains in towns, from cess-pools, and other collections of filth, gives rise to the worst kinds of fever. And it is not a matter of chance: the ague will continue in marshy countries till these are drained; and in the dirty quarters of a large town, there is sure to be typhus fever. If we cannot, in these cases, see, taste, or touch the bad air, or even smell it, we know that fens poison the air with a matter that causes ague, and animal refuse with what causes fever and many other diseases. But, the existence of a peculiar poison in the air in influenza, is very doubtful. It is likely, however, and generally believed by medical men, that influenza arises from certain states or changes in the air connected with heat and moisture. Now, though it appears in hot weather and cold, in dry and wet, it may still depend on certain conditions of the weather, just as a person will sometimes take a cough in a warm moist day, and again in a dry east wind; and just, in fact, as we see a fog, which depends on atmospheric changes, produced under different circumstances. The brisk air of the country often gives town-people a head-cold, and country people sometimes suffer in the same way when they visit town. During every season, certain people have "head-colds," coughs, and "feverish colds." These are produced by certain states of climate acting on certain states of constitution. At particular seasons such complaints abound--at others they abound still more; and again, from some singularity, they prevail so much, that people say, there is an Influenza.

In simple cases, confinement to a pure and temperate air, warm drinks, and a warm bath, or at least a warm foot-bath, with an extra blanket, and a little more rest than usual, keeping to mild food and toast and water, and taking, if necessary, a dose of aperient medicines--is all that is required. In serious cases, the domestic treatment must become professional. Mustard plasters to the back, relieve the head-ache. Squills, and other medicines, "loosen" the outstanding cough. Bark and wine, and even cold baths, are sometimes requisite for the weakness left behind. But these things can only be used with discrimination by a regular professional man.

395. For the Breath.-Persons who suffer from difficulty of breathing and oppression on the chest, will find great relief from the following simple contrivance. A tea-kettle is to be kept boiling, either over a fire or over a common night-lamp or nursing-candlestick. A tin tube is to be fitted on to the spout of the tea-kettle, of such length and form as to throw the steam in front of the sick person, who will then breathe in it. This prevents the distressing sensation occasioned by inhaling the cold night air, which will be felt by persons suffering from asthma or water on the chest, and which is not obviated either by clothing or fire.

396. To relieve Asthma.-Soak some blotting-paper in a strong solution of saltpetre; dry it, take a piece about the size of your hand, and on going to bed, light it, and lay it upon a plate in your bed-room. By doing so, persons, however badly afflicted with asthma, will find that they can sleep almost as well as when in health. (Many persons have experienced relief from the use of this specific.)

397. Relief for Asthma-another way.-Mix two ounces of the best honey with one ounce of castor oil, and take a teaspoonful, night and morning.

398. Gargle for Sore Throat.-On twenty five or thirty leaves of the common sage, pour a pint of boiling water; let the infusion stand half an hour. Add vinegar enough to make it moderately acid, and honey to the taste. Use it as a gargle, several times a day. This combination of the astringent and emollient principle seldom fails to produce the desired effect.

399. To prevent Lamps from being pernicious to Asthmatie persons, or others liable to Complaints of the Chest.-Let a sponge, three or four inches in diameter, be moistened with pure water, and in that state be suspended by a string or wire, exactly over the flame of the lamp, at the distance of a few inches; this substance will absorb all the smoke emitted during the evening or night; after which, it should be rinsed in warm water, by which means it will be again rendered fit for use.

400. The use of Tar-water in expanding the Lungs of Public Speakers, &c.-It has been found by the experience of many, that drinking tar-water very much deterges and opens the lungs, and thereby gives a very sensibly greater ease in speaking. A quart of tar is to be stirred six minutes in a gallon of water; but if there be somewhat less tar, it may do as well, especially at first, to try how it sits on the stomach. Take about one-fourth of a pint, at four several times, at a due distance from meals. Begin taking it in the spring for about fourteen days, and continue it for a greater length of time, as occasion may require.

401. To prevent Danger from Wet Clothes.-Keep if possible in motion, and take care not to go near a fire or into any very warm place, so as to occasion a sudden heat, till some time after you have been able to procure dry clothes.

402. Cold and Damp Feet.-Nothing can be more erroneous than the notion that by pouring spirits into boots and shoes, when the feet are wet, will prevent the effects of cold; on the contrary, the practice often produces cold, inflammation, and obstruction in the bowels. When the spirit reaches the feet, it immediately evaporates: the stronger it is, the more quickly it evaporates, and the greater is the cold produced.

403. For Whooping Cough.-Mix two tea-spoonfuls of paregoric elixir, one table-spoonful of oxymel of squills, and the same quantity of water and mucilage of gum-arabic. A teaspoonful may be taken three or four times a-day, or when the cough is troublesome.

Treat the whooping cough with the same care as you would any other cough. Keep the children warmly clothed, and dryly lodged, and in the house, at all times, except in warm sunuy

days, when air and exercise in moderation, observing that they do not overheat themselves, may do good. Put their feet in a pan of warm water just before they go to bed, and be careful to wipe them dry and wrap them in flannel. During the day they must wear woollen stockings and thick-soled shoes. Let their drink be toast-water, tea and raspberry vinegar mixed with water, two table-spoonfuls to a half-pint, or less if it be very sharp. Red or black currant-jelly dissolved in water makes a pleasant, cool drink. Be sure you give no kind of quack medicines-but an occasional dose of simple opening medicine, if the bowels are confined; and a quarter of a grain, or half a grain of plain ipecacuanha powder in a tea-spoonful of gruel or jelly at bed-time. Rub the chest and between the shoulders, with equal parts of rum and turpentine, adding a little oil, if it is too harsh for the skin. The child might suck an ipecacuanha lozenge two or three times a-day. Effervescent, saline draughts are very grateful and beneficial, where there is not only continual nausea, but frequent sickness from the spasmodic nature of the cough. If it be attended with pain in the chest or side, seek advice from a medical man without delay.

404. For common Coughs.-Mix one ounce of oil of almonds, one drachm of powdered gum arabic, one ounce of syrup, and one ounce and a half of water; take a tea-spoonful or two occasionally.

405. Winter Cough.-Mix two ounces of oxymel of stramonium with six ounces of the decoction of Iceland moss; take a dessert-spoonful when the cough is troublesome.

406. For Cough and Hoarseness.-Beat well a newly laid egg, and stir it into a quarter of a pint of new milk, warmed, to which add a table-spoonful of capillaire.

A piece of anchovy will almost instantly restore the just tone of voice to any one who has become hoarse by public. speaking.

407. White Mixture for Coughs.-Beat well the yolk of an egg, mix with it in a mortar half a drachm of powdered spermaceti, a little loaf sugar and twenty drops of lauda

num (tincture of opium); add a gill of water, and mix well: table-spoonful of this mixture will relieve an obstinate cough.

Or, mix half a pint of almond emulsion, two drachms of syrup of poppies, the same of oxymel of squills, and one drachm of powder of gum tragacanth; two table-spoonfuls to

be taken often.

408. Colds.-A daily exposure to the outward air is absolutely necessary to secure us against the injurious influence of our variable climate. For cure of catarrh, reduce the amount of food, take exercise, keep the bowels open, and bathe the feet in warm water at bed-time.-Henderson.

409. For a Cold in the Head.-What is called a head-bath is useful. Fill a wash-hand basin with boiling water, and add an ounce of flour of mustard; then hold the head, covered with a cloth to prevent the escape of the steam, over the basin as long as any steam arises.

410. For a troublesome Cough.-Take of treacle and the best white wine vinegar six table-spoonfuls each; add forty drops of laudanum; mix it well, and put it into a bottle. A tea-spoonful to be taken occasionally when the cough is troublesome.

411. For a sudden Hoarseness.-Mix one tea-spoonful of sweet spirits of nitre in a wine-glassful of water. This may be taken two or three times a day.

412. Hoarseness.--A piece of flannel, dipped in brandy, and applied to the chest, and covered with a dry flannel, is to be worn all night. Four or six small onions, boiled, and put on buttered toast, and eaten for supper, are likewise good for colds on the chest.

413.-Children's Coughs.-A few tea-spoonfuls of warm treacle taken occasionally, and particularly at bed-time, or when the cough is troublesome, will be found beneficial, especially for infants and children.

414. For a 66 hacking" Cough.-Dissolve an ounce of mutton suet in a pint of milk, and drink it warm.