SEAWEEDS. 631 
weed valuable both as a medicinal remedy against the glandular 
troubles of scrofula, and as an external embrocation, when the 
fronds are bottled in rum; such a liniment is specially beneficial 
for strengthening the faulty limbs of rickety, or bandy-legged 
children. Dr. Russell has recorded excellent success in dispersing 
scrofulous enlargements by rubbing in the soapy resolvent mucus 
which isfound within the vesicles ofthe Bladderwrack. He advises 
friction of the tumours with these vesicles bruised in the open 
palms, and afterwards washing the parts with sea-water from 
the ocean. Remarkably enough, it is reported by a professional 
diver that one of the strange effects of diving beneath deep water 
is the bad temper invariably felt while working at the bottom 
of the sea. As this sensation passes away almost always imme- 
diately after the surface is again reached, it is probably caused by 
the pressure of the air affecting the lungs, and through them the 
circulation of blood in the brain. Per contra, the exhilaration, and 
good temper of the mountain climber, represent quite opposite 
feelings, as derived from precisely different physical conditions. 
In this way the passion which seems to infatuate some enthu- 
siastic mountain climbers, time after time, may be accounted for. 
An analysis of the Bladderwrack has shown it to contain an 
empyreumatic oil, sulphur, earthy salts, some iron, and iodine 
freely ; thus it is very rich in anti-scrofulous elements. The 
fluid extract of this Seaweed has the long-standing reputation 
of safely, and surely, diminishing the bodily fat when in excess. 
It is given for such purpose three times a day, shortly after meals, 
in doses of from one to four teaspoonfuls. The remedy must 
be continued perseveringly, whilst cutting down the supplies 
of fat, starchy foods, sugar, and malt liquors. When taken in 
a like way, (or in the concentrated form of a bolus, if preferred), 
the Bladderwrack extract will specifically relieve rheumatic 
pains. Furthermore, a sea-pod liniment is dispensed by many 
seaside chemists; also a sea-pod essence for applying wet on a 
compress, towards dispelling strumous tumours, goitre, and 
enlarged neck glands; likewise for old strains, and bruises. 
It is by reason of its contained bromine, and iodine, as harmless 
remedial elements, the Bladderwrack (Fucus vesiculosus) acts 
in reducing fatness by imparting a stimulation of the absorbent 
bodily glands to increased activity. In common with the other 
Fuci it furnishes mannite, an odorous oil, a bitter principle, 
mucilage, and ash (embodying the bromine, and iodine). For 
