Volume 24 (1872) (424 pages)

February 3, 1872.] SCIENTIFIC PRESS. al. Usepue INfoRMATion. Vegetable Soap. Many plents in different countrics fnrnish uscfal substitutes for soap to the natives, when there aro uo convenionces or materials for mann facturing ordinary soap. Examples of these are the soapworts, ( Sapindus,) so calicd from furnishing, either in tho pulp of the fruit or in tho root or bark, avogetable principle called sapoine, ‘Thus the Hindns uso tho palp of tho fruit of Supindus detergens for washing linen. The capsula of another spocies, when bruised, forms suds ifagitated in hot wuter ; and the natives of India use this as nsvap fur washing tho hair, silk, ete. Tho aril which surrouudg the seed of a South American specics is used as a soap. The fresh bark of tho root of Mouaina polystachia, called ‘* yalkoi,” poundod and moulded into halls, is used hy the Poruvians in place of soap. Tho Canadian Naturalist, from which this portion of our account is takon, also states that tho hruised leaves of the Europeau Saponaria officinalis forms a lather which much resembles that of soap, and is similarly usefnl in romoving grease-spots. Tho hark of Quillaia saponaria of Contral America answers tho samo purpose, and is used ns a detergent by wood-dyers. It has heen evon imported largely into France, Belgium, cte., and sold in tho shops as a cheap suhstitute for soap. A vegetable soap was prepared somo years ago in Jamaica from the leaves of tho American aloe, which was found as detergent as Castile soap for washing lineu, and had the superior quality of mixing aud forming a lathor with salt water as well as fresh. In Pern, the leaves of the Maguey agave are used instead of soap. The clothes are wetted, and then boaten with a leaf which has been crushed ; a thick white froth is produced, and after rineing, the clothes are quito clean. Tho pulpy mattor contained in the hard kernel of a tree cslled ** Del Joboncillo” is also used for the ssme purpose. On being mixed with water, it produces a white froth. In Brazil, soap is made from the ashes of the hassena or broom-plant, (Sida lanceolata,) which ahounds with alkali. There are also some barks and pods of the native plants used for soaps in China. The California Soap Plant. The soap-plant of California (Phalangium pomeridianum) is a notablo example of this class of vegetable productions, and is found exceedingly useful. The hulhous root, which is the saponaceous portion, resembles the onion, but possesses the quality of cleansing linen equal to any olive eoap manufactured. Large amounts of washing fluids are made from this root at tho Standard Soap Works iu this city (San Francisco). This soap plant grows all over California. The leaves make their appearance ahout the middle of November or about six weeks after the rainy season has fairly setin, The plants never grow more than a foot high, and the leaves and stalk drop entirely off in May, though the hulhs remain in the ground all summer without decaying. It is used to wash with in all parts of the country, and hy those who know its virtues it is preferred to the best of soap. The method of using it in its natural state is merely to strip off the husk, dip the clothes into the water, and rub the hulb on them as with sosp. It makes a thick lather, and smells not unlike brown soap. The husks are also utilized in largo quantities, hy being worked up into an imitation of hair for mattrassee, for which purpose they are found to bea very good substitute. At St. Nicholas, one of the Cape Verde Islands, they make a soap from the oil of the Jatropha curcas seeds, and the ashes of the pawpaw-tree leaf. The oil and ashes are mixed in an iron pot, heated over a fire, and stirred until properly blended. When cool, it is rolled up into halls ahout the size of a six-pound shot, looking much like our mottled soap, and producing a very good lather. SaaLb~y Danarzr or Batuoonince.— Mr. Henry Coxwell, the aeronaut, replying to the hypothesis ‘‘ that one-half the number of professional aeronauts had been killed in the exercise of their vocation,” says that, of the 3,500 ascents executed in Europe and America, fifteen deaths only have been recorded. if four quarters make a yard, how many will make a garden Electro-Plating. In Franco, whero tho process of electropluting is regulated hy law, overy manufacturer is required to weigh caoh articlo when roady for plating, in the presenco of a comptroller appointed by the government, and to report tho samo articlo for weighing sgain whon the plating has beon done. In this way the olflicers show to the fraction of a grain the amount of the procious metal that has been added, and puts his mark upon the wares aooordingly, so that ovory puroliasor may know at a glance just what ho is buying. In ordinary plating an onuco and a half ofsilyer willgive to a surface a foot squaro a coating as thick as common writing paper; consequently, when silvor is worth $1.25 por ounce, the value of the silver covering a foot squaro would be about $1.87. At this rate, a well platod toa or cotlee pot is plated at a cost in silvor of not more than $1.50 to $2; aud the other oxpensos, including lehor, would hardly reaoh more than half that amount. Electro-gilding is dono in like manner. The very best eleetro-gilding does not necessarily add a great deal to the cost of the artiole plated. A silvor thimble may he handsomely platod so as to have the appearanco of heing all gold for five cents, a poncil case for twenty-five cents, and a watch easo for one dollar. Deformed and Monstrous Insects. We aronot greatly surprised to fiud monstrosities among cattle, as they are of frequent occurrence. A neighbor owns 2 cow that has six legs, and it is not unusual to meet all kinds of monstrosities among domesticated animals, and tho cause is usually attributed to close in-and-in hreeding or attempting to cross widely different races. But how are we to account for such freaks when they occur among lower forms of life, for instance, smong insects? Such monetrosities do sometimes occur even among minute formsas wellas among the larger animals. Beetles, for instance, have nsturally six legs; hut not long since aspecimen of Pterostichus Prevoostii, Dejeen, was found in Switzerland, having two eupplemental legs aflixed to one of the ordinsry hind legs. That insects fight and often become msimed is well known to every observer; hut whether such deformities have any effect upon the future progeny is a qnestion I leave for Darwinians to answer. J have a specimen of Carabus that has one eye in the proper place and the other half hidden in a depression on the uuder side of the thorax. Perhapsmy capturing of this specimen has presented the evolution of a race of cross-eyed heetles; if so, whata pity. Oup Sxor3.—You probably think that if you look sharply at an old shoe, when you throw it away, you will know it again if it ever comes back to yon. But that doesu’t at all follow. One of these days you may button up your dress with an old pair of slippers, comb your hair with a boot, or grasp a cast off slipper while you eat your dinner. You don't see how this can be? Well we'll tell you. Old ehoes are turned to account in the following manner: They are cut into very small pieces and kept for a couple of days in chloride of sulphur. The effect of this is to male the leather hard andhrittle. Next the material is withdrawn from the action of the chlorido of sulphur, washed with water and then dried. When thoroughly dried, it is ground to powder, and mixed with some substance like glue or gum, that causes it to adhere together. It is then pressed into molds and shaped into buttons, comhs, knife handles, etc. So you see how it may come to pass that you will comb your hair with a hoot and fasten your clothes with a slipper. Lreurn Porisn.—The preparation of hlacklead ready for use in a fluid state, is avecent English invention. The composition adopted consists of black lead, such as is used for polishing stoves and for other uses, combined with turpentine, water, and sugar or saccharine matter, and the proportions which have been found to answer well are, to each pound by weight of hlacklead, one gill of turpentine, one gill of water, and one ounce of sugar ; hut these proportions may he varied; and in some cases all the ingredients are not necessary. Exastic VaRNISH FoR LratHer.—Take two parts by weight of resin, and one of india ruhher, and heat them in an earthenware vessel till they are fused together ; after which they should he stirred till they are quite cold ; a little boiled linseed oil may he added while the materials are hot. Goon Hearth. Guycernixe Lyeu.—Prnssia is avowedly the country whero regular re-vaccination is most gonerally practiced, the law making the precaution obligatory on every person, and tho anthorities conscientiously watching over its porformance. As a natural rosult cases of small-pox aro very rare. It has, however, been objected there as hero, that lymph is scarce. To mako the most of suoh lymph as thore is, somo of tho European governments have tried its application mixod with glyccrino, and the resnlt has heen so successful as to lead to a public recommendation of the mixtnre to ofticial vaccinating surgeons. The mannor in which the glycerine lymph is propared is thus described:— The pustules of a hoalthy vaccinated person aro opened with a ueedle, and tho cfMluent matter carefully removed by moans ofa lancet, tho same instrument being gently applied to assist tho offlux. The lymph is then hest placed in tho hollow of a water glass, and thoro mixed with twice its quantity of chemioslly pnre glycorine and as much distilled wator. The liquids are thoroughly well mixed with a paint brush. The mixture may he preserved for use in capillary tubes or small medicine glasses. The lymph thus procured is considered equal in offect to pure lymph; care must, however, be taken to shake it before uso. As the same quantity that now suffices for one is made to suffice for five, the discovery ought to be oxtremely useful in crowded cities like ours. Hrartrurn.—Why the sensation occasionod by the presence of snscrid acid in the stomach should he called heartburn it is difficult to ssy, as the distress is not even in the immediate vicinity of the heart. Common parlsnce, however, has sanctioned the misnomer, and like many other erroneous terms in general nse, it is a fixture in our langusge. Bi-carbonate of soda is usually given for heartburn; hut it merely neutralizes the acidity for the time being, and does not preveut a speedy return of the complaint. In fact, all the alkaline solutions given to relieve the huruing, serve to weaken the stomach and thereby aggravate the cause of the ailment, viz.—indigestion, Whstis needed in such cases is something, which, by toning and invigorsting the gsstrio membrane and thus promoting a free flow of the secretion which dissolves the food, accelerates the work of digestion and assimilation. Avoid nostrums and consulta physician. SLEEPLEssNESS.—The cure of sleeplessness is sometimes difficult, particularly in those who carry grave responsibilities. The hadit of sleeping well is one which, if broken up for any length of time, is not easily recovered. Often a severe illness, treated hy powerful drugs, so deranges the nervous system that sleep is never sweet after. Or perhaps long continued watchfulness produces the same effect; or hard study, or too litt'e exercise of themuseular system, or tea and whisky drinking and tobacco using.—Home and Health. Linsrep Srrur.—To make linseed syrup for a cough, hoil oue ounce of linseed in a quart of water for an hour; strain it and add to the liquid the juice of two lemons and a half pound of rock candy. If the cough is accompanied by weakness and loss of appetite, add half an ounco of powdered gum arabic. Set this to simmer for half an hour, stirring it occasionally. Take a wine-glass full whenever the cough is troublesome. Diarriea AND Bowst CorpraL.—The following is anexcellent formula for a cordial to keep in the household, and was prepared hy a physician who used it with great success in his practice: Chalk mixture 3% oz.; tincture of Jamaica ginger, ¥, oz.; laudanum, 1 drachm. Mix and keep in a cool place. Shake the bottle before using. Dose for an adult, one teaspoonful as often as necessary ; children, half dose or less, Pouuse or Various ANiMALS.—The pulse of our domestic animals, as given by Vatel, in his Veterinary Pathology, is as follows : Horse, from 32 to 38 pulsations per minute; ox or cow, 25 to 42; ass 48 to 54; sheep, 70 to 79; dog, 90 to 100; cat, 110 to 120; rabbit, 120; guinea pig, 140; duck, 135 ; hen, 140. Tere is no rule of health more important than ‘‘ keep the feet dry and warm, and the head cool.”—An old story, but one worthy of being often repeated. Persons afflicted with ernptive diseases should not use salt fish. Expanpine tHe Lunes.—Step onttinto the purest sir you can find, stand perfoctly erect, with head and shoulders hack, and then, fixing the lips as if you were goingto whistle, draw the air through the lips into the lungs. When the chest is ahout hslf full, gradually raise the arms, keoping them extended with the pslms of the hands down, as you suck in the air, so as to hring them ovor the head just ss the lungs are quito full. Then drop the thumbs inward, and, after forcing the arms backward and tho chest open, reverso the process by which you draw your hreath, until the lungs are empty. This procoss should he repeated immediately aftcr bathing, and several timos during the day. It is impossihle to describe, to one who has never tried it, the glorious sense of vigor which follows this exercise.—Home and Health. Way tie Conor or Broop CHaneGes,— The cause of the change of color in blood —dnrkening whon exposed to carhonic acid, and hrightening when undor the influence of oxygen—is notas yet thoroughly understood. It is thought, howover, that the red corpuscles contained in the blood aro rendored fistter by oxygen gss, while they are distended by the aotion of carbonic acid. Jt is not improbahle that under the former circumstances they msy reflect the light more strongly, and thus give a more distinct coloration to the blood ; while, under the lattor, they may trsnsmit more light, and so allow the hlood to appear dsrker’ and duller. Both of those theorios have able advocates. DARKNESS IN THE TREATMENT OF SMALLPox.—lIf a pstient, in the beginning of the attack, ho put in a room from which absolutely all light is excluded save that of a candle, the effect is to arrest the disesse in the papular or vesiculsr stsge; the skin between the vesicles is never inflamed nor swollen; the large scabs of matter never form over the face; thereis no intense pain, snd only trifling itching, and the smellis either very slight or altogether wanting,—London Lancet. A Worp azout Crpzr.—Alexander Fresr, in the Independent, says: ‘“‘For msny bilious complaints, sour cider isa specifio, and in such cases is one of the good things to be received with thanksgiving. Cider guzzlers sre an abominstion, but, if dyspeptics will take a little with their dinner, they will find digestion greatly aided. We go in for the manufacture of a good, pure article, and, inthe use of it, to let our moderation be known to all men.” Oaxum as A Dressine ror Burns.—Mr. Robert L. Snow says of oakum, as a dressing for burns, that it induces the healing of extensive sores with remerkahle rapidity; it induces healing action in those indolent ulcers that are the result of defective hygienic conditiors; it prevents all emell; itis cheap, saves time and trouble; and, most important of all, the resulting scars do uot contract. Tr is said that cod liver oil may hetaken as agreeably as a sardine, if a small quantity of salt be first placed on the tongue ; and castor oil may be made perfectly palatable by rubhing two drops of oil of cinnamon with, an ounce of glycerine and adding to it one ounce of the castor oil. For Caronio diarrheathe following is said to be very efficacious, in many cases: puta tablespoonful of wheat flour in a tumbler of water, heat until it foams, and drink immediately. If the patient is thirsty,more water may be sdded. It should he taken four times a day ; hefore meal times and on going to hed. Curr ror Incrowine Nams.—Heat a small piece of tallow in an iron spoon; drop two or three drops hetween the nail and outside flesh. It will not he necessary to repeat this if proper pains is taken to so apply this liquid csutery that it will insinuate itself in every interstice under the nail. Repeat, if necessary. Tar Clover Cancer Curz.—Dr. Needham, in the Jowrnal of Materia Medica, advises the use of the fluid extract of clover in cancer, and from the testimony of other medical journals it would appear that it has a far better claim than cundurango to he considered a specific in that disease. To Pury taz Buoop.—A well known physician says that hecousidere the following prescription for purifying the blood as the best he has ever used: One ounce yellow dock, one half ounce horseradish, one quart hard cider. Dose, one wine-glass full four times a day.

February 3, 1872.] SCIENTIFIC PRESS. al. Usepue INfoRMATion. Vegetable Soap. Many plents in different countrics fnrnish uscfal substitutes for soap to the natives, when there aro uo convenionces or materials for mann facturing ordinary soap. Examples of these are the soapworts, ( Sapindus,) so calicd from furnishing, either in tho pulp of the fruit or in tho root or bark, avogetable principle called sapoine, ‘Thus the Hindns uso tho palp of tho fruit of Supindus detergens for washing linen. The capsula of another spocies, when bruised, forms suds ifagitated in hot wuter ; and the natives of India use this as nsvap fur washing tho hair, silk, ete. Tho aril which surrouudg the seed of a South American specics is used as a soap. The fresh bark of tho root of Mouaina polystachia, called ‘* yalkoi,” poundod and moulded into halls, is used hy the Poruvians in place of soap. Tho Canadian Naturalist, from which this portion of our account is takon, also states that tho hruised leaves of the Europeau Saponaria officinalis forms a lather which much resembles that of soap, and is similarly usefnl in romoving grease-spots. Tho hark of Quillaia saponaria of Contral America answers tho samo purpose, and is used ns a detergent by wood-dyers. It has heen evon imported largely into France, Belgium, cte., and sold in tho shops as a cheap suhstitute for soap. A vegetable soap was prepared somo years ago in Jamaica from the leaves of tho American aloe, which was found as detergent as Castile soap for washing lineu, and had the superior quality of mixing aud forming a lathor with salt water as well as fresh. In Pern, the leaves of the Maguey agave are used instead of soap. The clothes are wetted, and then boaten with a leaf which has been crushed ; a thick white froth is produced, and after rineing, the clothes are quito clean. Tho pulpy mattor contained in the hard kernel of a tree cslled ** Del Joboncillo” is also used for the ssme purpose. On being mixed with water, it produces a white froth. In Brazil, soap is made from the ashes of the hassena or broom-plant, (Sida lanceolata,) which ahounds with alkali. There are also some barks and pods of the native plants used for soaps in China. The California Soap Plant. The soap-plant of California (Phalangium pomeridianum) is a notablo example of this class of vegetable productions, and is found exceedingly useful. The hulhous root, which is the saponaceous portion, resembles the onion, but possesses the quality of cleansing linen equal to any olive eoap manufactured. Large amounts of washing fluids are made from this root at tho Standard Soap Works iu this city (San Francisco). This soap plant grows all over California. The leaves make their appearance ahout the middle of November or about six weeks after the rainy season has fairly setin, The plants never grow more than a foot high, and the leaves and stalk drop entirely off in May, though the hulhs remain in the ground all summer without decaying. It is used to wash with in all parts of the country, and hy those who know its virtues it is preferred to the best of soap. The method of using it in its natural state is merely to strip off the husk, dip the clothes into the water, and rub the hulb on them as with sosp. It makes a thick lather, and smells not unlike brown soap. The husks are also utilized in largo quantities, hy being worked up into an imitation of hair for mattrassee, for which purpose they are found to bea very good substitute. At St. Nicholas, one of the Cape Verde Islands, they make a soap from the oil of the Jatropha curcas seeds, and the ashes of the pawpaw-tree leaf. The oil and ashes are mixed in an iron pot, heated over a fire, and stirred until properly blended. When cool, it is rolled up into halls ahout the size of a six-pound shot, looking much like our mottled soap, and producing a very good lather. SaaLb~y Danarzr or Batuoonince.— Mr. Henry Coxwell, the aeronaut, replying to the hypothesis ‘‘ that one-half the number of professional aeronauts had been killed in the exercise of their vocation,” says that, of the 3,500 ascents executed in Europe and America, fifteen deaths only have been recorded. if four quarters make a yard, how many will make a garden Electro-Plating. In Franco, whero tho process of electropluting is regulated hy law, overy manufacturer is required to weigh caoh articlo when roady for plating, in the presenco of a comptroller appointed by the government, and to report tho samo articlo for weighing sgain whon the plating has beon done. In this way the olflicers show to the fraction of a grain the amount of the procious metal that has been added, and puts his mark upon the wares aooordingly, so that ovory puroliasor may know at a glance just what ho is buying. In ordinary plating an onuco and a half ofsilyer willgive to a surface a foot squaro a coating as thick as common writing paper; consequently, when silvor is worth $1.25 por ounce, the value of the silver covering a foot squaro would be about $1.87. At this rate, a well platod toa or cotlee pot is plated at a cost in silvor of not more than $1.50 to $2; aud the other oxpensos, including lehor, would hardly reaoh more than half that amount. Electro-gilding is dono in like manner. The very best eleetro-gilding does not necessarily add a great deal to the cost of the artiole plated. A silvor thimble may he handsomely platod so as to have the appearanco of heing all gold for five cents, a poncil case for twenty-five cents, and a watch easo for one dollar. Deformed and Monstrous Insects. We aronot greatly surprised to fiud monstrosities among cattle, as they are of frequent occurrence. A neighbor owns 2 cow that has six legs, and it is not unusual to meet all kinds of monstrosities among domesticated animals, and tho cause is usually attributed to close in-and-in hreeding or attempting to cross widely different races. But how are we to account for such freaks when they occur among lower forms of life, for instance, smong insects? Such monetrosities do sometimes occur even among minute formsas wellas among the larger animals. Beetles, for instance, have nsturally six legs; hut not long since aspecimen of Pterostichus Prevoostii, Dejeen, was found in Switzerland, having two eupplemental legs aflixed to one of the ordinsry hind legs. That insects fight and often become msimed is well known to every observer; hut whether such deformities have any effect upon the future progeny is a qnestion I leave for Darwinians to answer. J have a specimen of Carabus that has one eye in the proper place and the other half hidden in a depression on the uuder side of the thorax. Perhapsmy capturing of this specimen has presented the evolution of a race of cross-eyed heetles; if so, whata pity. Oup Sxor3.—You probably think that if you look sharply at an old shoe, when you throw it away, you will know it again if it ever comes back to yon. But that doesu’t at all follow. One of these days you may button up your dress with an old pair of slippers, comb your hair with a boot, or grasp a cast off slipper while you eat your dinner. You don't see how this can be? Well we'll tell you. Old ehoes are turned to account in the following manner: They are cut into very small pieces and kept for a couple of days in chloride of sulphur. The effect of this is to male the leather hard andhrittle. Next the material is withdrawn from the action of the chlorido of sulphur, washed with water and then dried. When thoroughly dried, it is ground to powder, and mixed with some substance like glue or gum, that causes it to adhere together. It is then pressed into molds and shaped into buttons, comhs, knife handles, etc. So you see how it may come to pass that you will comb your hair with a hoot and fasten your clothes with a slipper. Lreurn Porisn.—The preparation of hlacklead ready for use in a fluid state, is avecent English invention. The composition adopted consists of black lead, such as is used for polishing stoves and for other uses, combined with turpentine, water, and sugar or saccharine matter, and the proportions which have been found to answer well are, to each pound by weight of hlacklead, one gill of turpentine, one gill of water, and one ounce of sugar ; hut these proportions may he varied; and in some cases all the

ingredients are not necessary. Exastic VaRNISH FoR LratHer.—Take two parts by weight of resin, and one of india ruhher, and heat them in an earthenware vessel till they are fused together ; after which they should he stirred till they are quite cold ; a little boiled linseed oil may he added while the materials are hot. Goon Hearth. Guycernixe Lyeu.—Prnssia is avowedly the country whero regular re-vaccination is most gonerally practiced, the law making the precaution obligatory on every person, and tho anthorities conscientiously watching over its porformance. As a natural rosult cases of small-pox aro very rare. It has, however, been objected there as hero, that lymph is scarce. To mako the most of suoh lymph as thore is, somo of tho European governments have tried its application mixod with glyccrino, and the resnlt has heen so successful as to lead to a public recommendation of the mixtnre to ofticial vaccinating surgeons. The mannor in which the glycerine lymph is propared is thus described:— The pustules of a hoalthy vaccinated person aro opened with a ueedle, and tho cfMluent matter carefully removed by moans ofa lancet, tho same instrument being gently applied to assist tho offlux. The lymph is then hest placed in tho hollow of a water glass, and thoro mixed with twice its quantity of chemioslly pnre glycorine and as much distilled wator. The liquids are thoroughly well mixed with a paint brush. The mixture may he preserved for use in capillary tubes or small medicine glasses. The lymph thus procured is considered equal in offect to pure lymph; care must, however, be taken to shake it before uso. As the same quantity that now suffices for one is made to suffice for five, the discovery ought to be oxtremely useful in crowded cities like ours. Hrartrurn.—Why the sensation occasionod by the presence of snscrid acid in the stomach should he called heartburn it is difficult to ssy, as the distress is not even in the immediate vicinity of the heart. Common parlsnce, however, has sanctioned the misnomer, and like many other erroneous terms in general nse, it is a fixture in our langusge. Bi-carbonate of soda is usually given for heartburn; hut it merely neutralizes the acidity for the time being, and does not preveut a speedy return of the complaint. In fact, all the alkaline solutions given to relieve the huruing, serve to weaken the stomach and thereby aggravate the cause of the ailment, viz.—indigestion, Whstis needed in such cases is something, which, by toning and invigorsting the gsstrio membrane and thus promoting a free flow of the secretion which dissolves the food, accelerates the work of digestion and assimilation. Avoid nostrums and consulta physician. SLEEPLEssNESS.—The cure of sleeplessness is sometimes difficult, particularly in those who carry grave responsibilities. The hadit of sleeping well is one which, if broken up for any length of time, is not easily recovered. Often a severe illness, treated hy powerful drugs, so deranges the nervous system that sleep is never sweet after. Or perhaps long continued watchfulness produces the same effect; or hard study, or too litt'e exercise of themuseular system, or tea and whisky drinking and tobacco using.—Home and Health. Linsrep Srrur.—To make linseed syrup for a cough, hoil oue ounce of linseed in a quart of water for an hour; strain it and add to the liquid the juice of two lemons and a half pound of rock candy. If the cough is accompanied by weakness and loss of appetite, add half an ounco of powdered gum arabic. Set this to simmer for half an hour, stirring it occasionally. Take a wine-glass full whenever the cough is troublesome. Diarriea AND Bowst CorpraL.—The following is anexcellent formula for a cordial to keep in the household, and was prepared hy a physician who used it with great success in his practice: Chalk mixture 3% oz.; tincture of Jamaica ginger, ¥, oz.; laudanum, 1 drachm. Mix and keep in a cool place. Shake the bottle before using. Dose for an adult, one teaspoonful as often as necessary ; children, half dose or less, Pouuse or Various ANiMALS.—The pulse of our domestic animals, as given by Vatel, in his Veterinary Pathology, is as follows : Horse, from 32 to 38 pulsations per minute; ox or cow, 25 to 42; ass 48 to 54; sheep, 70 to 79; dog, 90 to 100; cat, 110 to 120; rabbit, 120; guinea pig, 140; duck, 135 ; hen, 140. Tere is no rule of health more important than ‘‘ keep the feet dry and warm, and the head cool.”—An old story, but one worthy of being often repeated. Persons afflicted with ernptive diseases should not use salt fish. Expanpine tHe Lunes.—Step onttinto the purest sir you can find, stand perfoctly erect, with head and shoulders hack, and then, fixing the lips as if you were goingto whistle, draw the air through the lips into the lungs. When the chest is ahout hslf full, gradually raise the arms, keoping them extended with the pslms of the hands down, as you suck in the air, so as to hring them ovor the head just ss the lungs are quito full. Then drop the thumbs inward, and, after forcing the arms backward and tho chest open, reverso the process by which you draw your hreath, until the lungs are empty. This procoss should he repeated immediately aftcr bathing, and several timos during the day. It is impossihle to describe, to one who has never tried it, the glorious sense of vigor which follows this exercise.—Home and Health. Way tie Conor or Broop CHaneGes,— The cause of the change of color in blood —dnrkening whon exposed to carhonic acid, and hrightening when undor the influence of oxygen—is notas yet thoroughly understood. It is thought, howover, that the red corpuscles contained in the blood aro rendored fistter by oxygen gss, while they are distended by the aotion of carbonic acid. Jt is not improbahle that under the former circumstances they msy reflect the light more strongly, and thus give a more distinct coloration to the blood ; while, under the lattor, they may trsnsmit more light, and so allow the hlood to appear dsrker’ and duller. Both of those theorios have able advocates. DARKNESS IN THE TREATMENT OF SMALLPox.—lIf a pstient, in the beginning of the attack, ho put in a room from which absolutely all light is excluded save that of a candle, the effect is to arrest the disesse in the papular or vesiculsr stsge; the skin between the vesicles is never inflamed nor swollen; the large scabs of matter never form over the face; thereis no intense pain, snd only trifling itching, and the smellis either very slight or altogether wanting,—London Lancet. A Worp azout Crpzr.—Alexander Fresr, in the Independent, says: ‘“‘For msny bilious complaints, sour cider isa specifio, and in such cases is one of the good things to be received with thanksgiving. Cider guzzlers sre an abominstion, but, if dyspeptics will take a little with their dinner, they will find digestion greatly aided. We go in for the manufacture of a good, pure article, and, inthe use of it, to let our moderation be known to all men.” Oaxum as A Dressine ror Burns.—Mr. Robert L. Snow says of oakum, as a dressing for burns, that it induces the healing of extensive sores with remerkahle rapidity; it induces healing action in those indolent ulcers that are the result of defective hygienic conditiors; it prevents all emell; itis cheap, saves time and trouble; and, most important of all, the resulting scars do uot contract. Tr is said that cod liver oil may hetaken as agreeably as a sardine, if a small quantity of salt be first placed on the tongue ; and castor oil may be made perfectly palatable by rubhing two drops of oil of cinnamon with, an ounce of glycerine and adding to it one ounce of the castor oil. For Caronio diarrheathe following is said to be very efficacious, in many cases: puta tablespoonful of wheat flour in a tumbler of water, heat until it foams, and drink immediately. If the patient is thirsty,more water may be sdded. It should he taken four times a day ; hefore meal times and on going to hed. Curr ror Incrowine Nams.—Heat a small piece of tallow in an iron spoon; drop two or three drops hetween the nail and outside flesh. It will not he necessary to repeat this if proper pains is taken to so apply this liquid csutery that it will insinuate itself in every interstice under the nail. Repeat, if necessary. Tar Clover Cancer Curz.—Dr. Needham, in the Jowrnal of Materia Medica, advises the use of the fluid extract of clover in cancer, and from the testimony of other medical journals it would appear that it has a far better claim than cundurango to he considered a specific in that disease. To Pury taz Buoop.—A well known physician says that hecousidere the following prescription for purifying the blood as the best he has ever used: One ounce yellow dock, one half ounce horseradish, one quart hard cider. Dose, one wine-glass full four times a day.