422 SOITAMINEJH, 



in 



n. and Nav. of the Ancients^ III, 695). Galen recom- 

 paralysis and all complaints arising from cold hu- 

 rnorsj Paulns in neuralgia and gout. Ibn Sina and other Arabian 

 and Persian physicians closely follow tlie Greeks, but enlarge 

 upon its aplirodisiacal properties^ In modern medicine the 

 ■value of ginger as a carminative in atonic dyspepsia and flatulent 

 colic, and as a masticatory in relaxed conditions of the throat 

 is generally admitted. 



The manufacture of ginger beer and ginger ale forms a large 

 portion of the mineral water trade in England^; indeed, some 

 makers have acquired a special reputation for their production. 

 Besides the large number of fermented and aerated ginger beers 

 consumed at home, a good deal of ginger ale is shii:)ped in glass 

 bottles from Belfast, especially to the United States. About 

 16,000 packages or casks arc so exported annually, for it has 

 become a fashionable beverage in America among all classes. 



According to the American ofEcial returns the imports in the 

 two years ending June were as follows (the duty being 20 

 per cent.); — 



1888. 1889. 



Dozen bottles. Dozen bottles. 



Ginger ale and beer 231,721 261, 828 



Ginger cordial 



262 



Preserved ginger (35 jDcr 



cent, duty) value $14,289 $2,670 



Hundredweights. Hundredweights. 



Raw glnger(duty free) 34,194 27,718 



The value of the ginger ale and beer imported there was in 

 1887, $153,376; in 1888, §126,987, and in 1889, $92,00L 



The manufacture of ginger ale seems to have been com- 

 menced there also ; for last year 3,512 dozen quarts were sent 

 away from New York and New Orleans, besides what wa3 

 locally consumed. 



Tne niunber of uses to wtich ginger is applied besides as a 

 spice, confection and medicine are many ; for instance, we have 

 gmgerade, ginger ale, ginger beer, ginger brandy, ginger bread, 



