GARLIC. . 351 



called, by first boiling them till quite tender in a close vessel, then drying 

 them carefully by means of a napkin. To the water in which they had 

 been boiled, an equal quantity of the strongest vinegar was added, and to 

 this as much refined sugar as was necessary to form a syrup, which was 

 poured over the dried bulbs, put into an earthen jar, and carefully stopped 

 for use. The dose was one or two of the bulbs to be taken in a morning, 

 fasting, with one or two table-spoonsful of syrup. This remedy gained 

 great repute for the cure of asthma, and it appears deservedly."* 



Of the juice from half an ounce to two ounces, mixed with 

 syrup or sugar, forms a dose. It may also be made into pills, 

 with an equal quantity of soap, containing four grains each, 

 of which four or five may be taken twice a-day. The offensive 

 odour of Garlic may be in great measure counteracted by aro- 

 matics t, particularly the seeds of umbelliferous plants ; baked 

 beet-root has been affirmed to be very effectual for this purpose. 



• J. A. Waller, Brit. Dom. Herb. p. 169. 

 f Noticed by Virgil : — 



" Thestylis et rapido fessis messoribus aastu 

 Allia, serpyllumque, herbas contundit olentes." 



Ed. ii. h 11. 



But Horace exclaims vehemently against it, after partaking of it at sup- 

 per with Maecenas : — 



" Parentis olim si quis impia manu 

 Senile guttur fregerit ; 

 Edit cicutis allium nocentius. 

 O dura messorum ilia ! " 



Epodes, lib. v. ep. 3. 



