496 MEALS MEDICINAL. 
is dissolved ; clear it like brawn with half the white of an egg: 
strain it again through a napkin into a dish, and put it in a cold 
place so that it may set. Take a teaspoonful frequently. 
Where heartburn occurs leave the sugar out.” 
Irish Moss (Carrageen) is collected chiefly on the north- 
western shores of Ireland, also on our English rocky coasts, 
and some in Hamburg. Its chief constituent is a sort of 
mucilage which dissolves to a stiff paste in boiling water, this 
containing some iodine, and much sulphur. The Moss needs 
soaking for an hour or more in cold water, before being boiled 
for use in water, or milk. It contains starchy, heat-giving 
nourishment, about six parts thereof to one of flesh-forming 
food, whereby its jelly is found to be specially sustaining to 
persons suffering from pulmonary consumption, with an excessive 
hectic waste of bodily heat. The botanical name of this Moss 
is Chondrus crispus, and it varies much in size, and colour. At 
one time its cost was half-a-crown for a pound. Whilst growing 
in small pools it is shallow, pale, and stunted ; but when found 
at the bottom of a deep pool, or under the shadow of a big rock, 
it occurs in dense masses of rich ruddy purple, with reddish- 
green thick fronds. The Moss always needs to remain well washed 
by the tide. It is very wholesome for gouty persons, and for 
those who are prohibited from eating starchy foods, as it contaims 
neither sugar, nor starch, but a large amount of gelatinous, and 
mineral matter. It may be cooked as blancmange, or baked 
with milk as a pudding, being sweetened with sugar, and 
flavoured with lemon-rind, ratafia, etc. The iodine in its 
composition is of use for chronic sore throat, whilst the Moss 1s 
medicinally demulcent. 
“That throat so vex’d by cackle, and by cup; 
Where wine descends, and endless words come up: 
Much injur’d Organ!” 
MULBERRY. (See Fruits). 
Sixty years or so ago, there stood a grove of Mulberry trees 
in what is now the Fulham Road, these having been planted to 
produce leaves for cultivating silkworms. James the First (1609) 
had devoted a piece of ground to such a purpose, near his Palace 
at Westminster. The trees flourished, and Charles the First 
gave the custody of them, with a house attached, to Lord Aston. 
