40 THE NEW ZEALAND FAMILY HERB DOCTOR, 
mixture for the blood is called by its name, when, in fact, most 
of them have only a small amount, and some none at all of it in 
them. Experience has proved that alone the Sarsaparilla does 
not do much good. Notwithstanding the great esteem in which 
it is held, it is ridiculous for persons with faces covered with 
blotches and black-heads to expect a handful of this 
root to cure them ; and some have such a high opinion of it—no 
wonder they are disappointed in it. Having thrown out this 
hint to guard people from being dissatisfied with a short trial of 
it, we do not for a moment wish it to be understood that we have- 
no faith in it, for we have witnessed somesplendid cures effected 
with it in combination. There is aman now in this city who had 
an ulcerated leg for over sixteen years. He was in several 
hospitals, getting a little better, but never well. He saw our 
compound decoction advertised, came, got a bottle, which he 
repeated every week for fourteen months; at the end of that 
time he had taken 60 bottles, and from then, 11 years ago, 
his leg has been whole. Some of our readers will stand. 
aghast at a medicine that has to be taken in such quantities. 
and solong ; but seeing the time that the disease had lasted, 
the time was not unreasonable. Patience is a virtue of much 
benefit to the possessor. There are thousands now in their 
graves who would have been alive if they had persevered. 
with one remedy; but instead they tried so many, not giving 
any of them a fair chance. Time fails us to tell of the many 
such instances we have met with in our practice. 
The Sarsaparilla is a family plant, having relatives in 
almost every land. There is the famous Jamaica variety 
which stands highestin favour. It is described as a prickly vine, 
climbing and clinging to trees ; its leaves are dark-green, small, 
oval, and pointed ; the seed-producing parts, scarcely deserving 
to be called flowers, are six-leaved, and have in the centre 
two seed cells. The roots are the only part used, they are long 
and slender, about the thickness of a goose quill; as sold in 
the shops the roots are split and cut up in pieces about an inch 
long. The outer coat is of a light reddish brown, the inner 
white. 
