CATHARTICS, 59 
that it acts hke a charm when used on unbroken chilblains. 
We prepare a fluid extract of it. 
CASTOR OIL (Oxrum Ricrn1). 
This is the old time-honoured laxative. It is doubtless 
valuable in its way, but it is only a cathartic pure and simple, 
and many complain of its binding tendency after it has 
operated. As it is defined in the list of regular medicines, 
we will not dwell upon it further here. 
JALAP, 
Another old cathartic, will also be found amongst the regulars. 
MANNA 
Is a mild laxative, the concrete saccharine exudation of the 
tree known in scientific botany as Frascinus Ornus. The 
varicty known as flake manna is the best. It comes in the 
form of prisms or stalactites, several inches long, of a 
yellow-white colour, brittle, light, and soft. The taste is sweet 
and mild. Some people think that this substance is the same 
or in some way resembles the manna given from Heaven to 
the Israelites. This idea is no doubt inferred from the name 
being the same; but while manna is a pleasant and good 
medicine, it would not do for people toliveupon. We heard a 
Jew once, who thought himself a poet, speaking of the manna 
which his ancestors received from above, give rather more 
credit to Moses than he deserved. ‘‘ Moses,” said he, ‘‘ gave 
them bread from Heaven which was not baked in a pan or an 
oven.’’ A higher authority said, ‘‘Moses did not give you 
that bread, but my Father.” We are all too apt to forget the 
First Cause of our mercies, while looking to the medium 
through which they come. Manna, however, is a mild and 
most agreeable laxative for children, some of whom are terrors 
when medicine is forced upon them, This they will consider 
in the light of a sugar-plum. It is also suitable for pregnant 
‘women and such as are troubled with piles. The dose for an 
