102 MEALS MEDICINAL. 
purgative). Two teaspoonfuls of such a baking powder mixed 
‘In a quart of flour, represent forty-five more grains of the Rochelle 
salt than are contained in an ordinary Seidlitz powder. Alum 
instead of cream of tartar is quite objectionable : it would form 
sulphate of soda, and would make the phosphates of the flour 
insoluble. 
In the early part of the nineteenth century, when Dr. 
Abernethy, a physician famous for his successful treatment of 
indigestion, lived in Bloomsbury Square, London, a baker named 
Hill carried on his business in Southampton Row, which street 
runs out of that Square. It was customary for the Doctor to 
pay this baker a morning call for a Captain’s Biscuit. On one 
of such visits the Doctor said, “ Hill, I think the biscuits would 
be better with some sugar in them.” Hill followed the Doctor’s 
suggestion ; and, when he came again the Doctor, on tasting 
them, said, “ They are all right so far, but put a few caraway 
seeds in the next batch, so as to break the wind on the stomach ; 
and I will recommend them.” Such is the history of the 
Abernethy Biscuit as received sixty years ago from 8. Haddon, 
a baker who lived at the corner of William and Munster Streets, 
Regent’s Park, and who had previously worked for Hill. Here 
is the original mixture used by Hill: ‘‘ Seven pounds of winter 
wheat flour, eight ounces of granulated sugar, eight ounces of 
butter, and a few Caraway seeds. Mix, or rub the butter well 
into the flour, making a bay in the centre: add the sugar, and 
seeds, mixing all well together; then break until the dough is 
clear, and smooth. After having done this, about ten Biscuits 
to the pound may be cut, moulded, and pinned on a crimping 
board, then baked in a sound oven, and, when taken out, put 
in the drying oven for four, or more hours.” These were genuine ; 
but the Abernethy Biscuits now usually sold as such are spurious, 
and somewhat similar to the unleavened bread told about in the 
Bible, to prepare which the children of Israel baked their broken 
grain after soaking it in water, not using any substance for 
making the bread light, or raised. Mr. Solomon Pell, the 
confidential adviser of Tony Weller, and Sam, about family 
matters, was found at the Insolvent Court regaling himself, 
as business was slack, on an Abernethy Biscuit, and a saveloy. 
When Lord Roberts first went out to South Africa he 
took with him a good supply of Bath Oliver Biscuits (excel- — 
lent against indigestion); and he sent for another supply 
