374 MEALS MEDICINAL. 
up mischief therein. A simple respirator for inhaling the oil 
vapour can be made with a small square of thin, ductile, 
perforated zinc plate, bent, and adapted as a little funnel, 
widely open at top to the shape of the mouth, and nostrils, but 
without any free side apertures; and within the narrow end of 
which funnel may be secured a small pledget of sponge, or 
absorbent cotton-wool, for frequent saturation with from twenty 
to thirty drops of a spirituous essence of Peppermint made with 
the oil, and spirit. This quantity of the essence should be 
dropped on the sponge each night, and morning, whilst the 
apparatus is to be worn over the mouth, and nostrils, (by tapes 
at its sides to tie over the head) all day, except at meals. The 
oil, and the essence are of an agreeable odour in a room, and 
are absolutely harmless. In France continuous inhalations of 
Peppermint oil (either by itself, or combined with oil of tar) 
have come into approved use with much success, even when 
cavities are present in the lungs, with copious expectoration 
of the consumption microbes. The cough, the night-sweats, 
and the heavy phlegm have been arrested, whilst the nutrition, 
and the weight have steadily increased. “ Peppermint ”’ (Dr. 
Hughes) “ should be more largely employed than it is in coughs, 
especially in a dry cough, however caused, when it seems to 
act specifically as a cure. It will relieve in this way even the 
persistent hectic cough of a consumptive patient.” Unhealthy 
external sores may be cleansed, and their healing promoted 
by being dressed with strips of soft rag dipped in sweet oil to 
each ounce of which two or three drops of oil of Peppermint have 
_ been added. The oil, or the essence of Peppermint can be used 
of any strength, and in any quantity, without the least harm to 
a patient. It checks the discharge of unhealthy matter when 
applied to a sore, or wound, whilst exercising a salutary antiseptic 
effect. ‘“‘ Altogether” (as Dr. Braddon writes) “the oil of 
Peppermint forms the best, safest, and most agreeable of known 
antiseptics.”” 
For obviating mosquito bites, the ablutionary use of 
Peppermint soap all over the body, or, in default thereof, 
employing soft soap with which a few drops of oil of Peppermint 
have been mixed, will prove efficacious. ‘“ Take a little of this,” 
says an experienced traveller, ‘‘ into the hands with some water, 
then wash therewith the face, the body throughout, and the 
hands, and let it dry on every part likely to be exposed to 
