548 MEALS MEDICINAL. 
thereby, and thus shrivelling up the tumours to extinction. To 
prepare the Oyster-shell powder, bake a quantity of the shells, 
using those which are concave (half a peck, or more), for three 
nights in a slow oven, then scrape out the small white part within 
each shell ; powder these parts finely, and take as much of the 
powder as will lie, rather heaped up, on a shilling, once, or twice 
a day in a little warm water, or milk. If an ointment is also 
thought desirable for external use at the same time, mix some of 
the dried powder with unsalted lard, or cream, quite fresh, and 
apply it. This treatment needs perseverance, sometimes tor 
three or four months, before its curative effects begin to be 
perceived. Abernethy, when on one occasion asked by a tire- 
some dyspeptic invalid what she might eat, replied, “ Well ! you 
mustn’t try the poker, tongs, or bellows.” 
** Poker, and tongs, too hard you'll find, 
ke Bellows will blow you up with wind.’ 
‘May I eat Oysters, Sir?’ ‘ Yes, well!’ 
* And what besides ?’ ‘ Why, eat the shell.’ ” 
