STUDIES OF PLANT LIFE 



caraway. It is a most valuable domestic medicine, safe and 

 simple; its curative properties in cases of obstinate dysen- 

 terical disorders deserve to be widely known. 



It was from an old Canadian settler that I learned the 

 virtue of the Spignet-root, for it is by that name it is known 

 in country places. I have tested its efficacy in many cases 

 of that common and often fatal disorder to which young 

 children are subject during the hot summer months in 

 Canada. For the benefit of anxious mothers I give the 

 following preparation from this valuable root: 



Kecipe. Take the long roots, which are covered with a 

 wrinkled brown skin, wash them well and remove the outer 

 bark ; then scrape down the white fibrous part, which is the 

 portion of the root that is to be made use of, throwing aside 

 the inner hard central heart, which is not so good. 



A large tablespoonful of the scraped root may be boiled 

 in a pint of good milk till the quantity is reduced to one- 

 half; a small stick of cinnamon and a lump of white sugar 

 boiled down with the milk improve the flavor, add to its 

 astringent virtue, and make the medicine quite palatable. 

 The dose for an infant is a teaspoonful, twice a day; for 

 an adult, a dessert-spoonful twice or thrice a day, till the 

 disorder is checked. 



The months of August and September are the best time 

 to obtain the roots, which have then come to perfection. 



The strengthening and purifying nature of this plant 

 makes it quite safe as a medicine even for a young infant. 

 The preparation is by no means unpalatable; it is sweet 

 and slightly bitter, aromatic and astringent. I have seen 

 children that had been reduced to the last stage of debility 

 restored, after taking three or four doses, to a healthy state 

 of body; it purifies the blood and strengthens the system. 



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