BEVERAGES. 57 



very useful in gout and rheumatism, as well as in fevers, 

 indigestion, dyspepsia, etc. It is, however, best known as 

 an antiscorbutic, and a considerable amount of attention 

 has been directed to it since the return of the Arctic 

 Expedition, as the outbreak of scurvy in the sledging 

 expeditions was a serious drawback to their success. An 

 inquiry into the matter resulted in the passing of an Act 

 on August 20th, 1867, which rendered it compulsory, under 

 certain penalties, for every ship to take on board lime or 

 lemon juice in sufficient quantity to serve out so much per 

 day to every member of the crew during the voyage. In 

 consequence of this enactment, scurvy is now very little 

 known in the English navy. The lime is cultivated on a 

 small scale also in Dominica and Jamaica. 



The utilisation of the kola or cola-nut in the preparation 

 of cocoa is described under DRUGS. 



