TREATMENT OF DISEASES. 105 



Remarks.— It is claimed by many scientific men that it is best to always lie 

 with the head to the north, on account of the fact — a supposed fact, at least, — 

 that there is an electric current passing through the system when one is lying 

 down, whether awake or asleep, and that its influence is best with the head to 

 the north. Invalids, at least, had better do it, if the situation of their room ^ill 

 allow it. Lying with the head a little the highest prevents considerably the 

 flow of blood to the head, and, therefore, induces sleep. A hot foot-bath, with 

 mustard in it, on retiring, draws the blood from the head and aids in getting 

 sleep, and sponging the whole length of the spine with hot water for 15 min- 

 utes just before going to bed often ensures a good night's sleep; active exercise 

 in the open air, or a brisk walk, are great helps to this end— procuring a good 

 night's sleep; but opium, chloral, or spirits of any kind, only tend to 

 sleeplessness, rather than sleep, hence should never be resorted to, from the dan 

 ger of establishing a habit which can not be overcome. It has been generally 

 believed that fish furnished a large amount of brain food, or phospliorus; but 

 this, of late, is considered to be an error, as it is now believed they do not have 

 any excess of phosphorus over other animals. From the length this subject 

 has reached. I trust I may be excused for closing it with an item to amuse 

 rather than for any particular benefit which may be derived from it; yet, in one 

 sense, it may do good to that class of persons who consider fun better than 

 physic, and hence I trust that the subject of "brain tissue," as put forth by the 

 Springfield Republicaii below, under the head of "Fun better than Physic," will 

 be read with satisfaction. It says: 



•' There is a party, fat and stout 



As any Turk on Bosphorus, 

 Who at our dinner table sits. 

 And ne'er his babble intermits, 

 But prates of mush and wheaten grits. 



And ' mean amount of phosphorus.' 



" He always airs his favorite theme. 



Nor cares a penny's toss for us. 

 But rails at beef with ' Pooh! ' and ' Pishl' 

 And calls for cod and other fish, 

 Hoping to gain — his dearest wish — 



' The mean amount of phosphorus.' 



" OhI that he'd change his boarding place — 



'Twould surely be no loss for us — 

 But there's one consolation yet, 

 His star, ascendant, soon will set. 

 Some time he'll die, and then he'll get 



'His full amount of phosphorus.' " 



1. CROUP.— Instantaneous Relief— Internal Remedy.— It is 



claimed that alum and sugar will cure croup in one minute, by shaving or 

 grating off 1 tea-spoonful of the alum and mixing it with twice as much sugar, 

 and giving it at once, the relief being almost instantaneous. Half these 

 amounts may be repeated once or twice, J^ hour apart, if the relief is not per- 

 manent 



