62 DR. CHASE'S RECIPES. 



Remarks.— Vroi. King, in his "American Dispensary," says: "It acts like 

 a powerful cholagogue, (a Greek word signifying "to carry off bile"), causing a 

 profuse secretion of bile, and has been used with efScacy in scrofula, chlorosis 

 (whites), jaundice, torpid liver, diseases of tlie spleen and cachexia {i. e., any 

 depraved or bad condition of the system, as from cancer, syphilis, etc.). 

 Dose— The dose is from 5 to 20 grs., 3 times a day. A dr. or two (60 to 120 

 grs.) dissolved in a J^ pt. or 1 pt. of water will act as a prompt purgative, with 

 scarcely any depression of the system. " But," he continues, " large doses, or 

 its long continued use in small doses, injures the tone of the stomach. One dr. 

 of the sulphate of manganese mixed in 1 oz, of lard has been used externally 

 as an ointment in buboes, chancres, indolent ulcers and some diseases of the 

 skin." And the author thinks this ointment might prove valuable to rub in 

 thoroughly over the liver. So it will be seen that this preparation of manga- 

 nese, is a valuable article, and if it is made to take the place of calomel, it 

 will be a grand tiling for the people. Almost any cathartic, if very long con- 

 tinued, will depress and injure, more or less, the condition of the stomach; so 

 this is not alone in thus injuring " the tone of the stomach," if long continued. 



ALTERATIVES, OR BLOOD PURIFIERS— By Food, Beers, 

 etc. — An inquiry through the Blade for a plan to improve the complexion by 

 removing pimples, etc., was made in the following words: " My complexion is 

 sallow and bad, my skin pimply all over. I am run down, and want to feel 

 aUve again. What is the matter, and what is to be done ? " To this inquiry 

 the editor of the "Household Department" made such a common-sense reply 

 that I give it a place, hoping that every one needing such an alterative effect will 

 adopt her suggestions, and save the necessity of taking something which is 

 more of a medicinal character. She says : 



I. The matter is that the blood is thoroughly vitiated, and improving it 

 must be a matter of time. Spring diet should do the work of medicine, largely. 

 And first in importance, are salads of all sorts. Every family should have its 

 beds and boxes, its borders and hot-beds full of fresh sprouts, from the pepper- 

 grass and the water-cress to the tender turnip, mustard, cabbage and beet shoots, 

 the first leaves of dandelion and sorrel, cheril, mint and parsely, all good to 

 mix for some of the most inviting salads. 



II, But the vegetable which combines the most beneficial qualities, which 

 ranks as a medicine and purifier of the finest sort, is one, which, though its 

 stigma is now removed among gourmands and in polite society, is under the 

 ban in ordinary circles. The virtues of the onion render it a pharmacopoeia in 

 itself. Eaten raw, with or without vinegar, it is the most effective purifier of 

 the blood known. It has been known to leave consumptives plump and rosy. 

 It cures dyspepsia, and is a thorough worm-medicine for children. As a toilet 

 prescription, it will do as much to refine the complexion, renew the hair and 

 remove spots as any one article known. More people like its piquant flavor, 

 indispensable in all high-class cookery, than care to own a preference they sup- 

 pose ungenteel. But there need be no hesiiation in eating onions fieely, since 

 theuseof a tootlibrush and a dose of charcoal, always good in itself, or the chew- 

 ing of some roasted coffee or corn, -nill remove the odor. The only care to be 



