82 THE NEW ZEALAND FAMILY HERB DOCTOR. 
tonic, cold, in wineglassful doses three times a day. Com- 
bined with other herbs a good fomentation mixture is made 
for pains in the abdomen, inflammation of the bowels and 
other parts. The powdered herb can be taken, a teaspoonful 
to a cup of boiling water, strained and sweetened, being the 
largest dose. It may be useful here tc remind those giving 
or taking these sweating medicines to see that the pores are 
closed before going into the cold. To do this the body should 
be sponged with tepid water and vinegar; rub with a dry, 
warm cloth. Or here is a better mixture: A teaspoonful of 
cayenne, a handful of salt, a cupful of vinegar, and a pint of 
water. Apply as above. 
BALM (MeEtissa OFFICINALIS). 
This well-known plant is found in most gardens, and is 
called balm-lemon on account of its lemon flavour. It is a 
mild diaphoretic, useful in colds, fevers, and where if 1s 
desirable to produce a sweat. The warm infusion, sweetened 
and drunk freely will do this nicely. Dr. Skelton, in his 
‘Science and Practice of Medicine,” strongly recommends it in 
inflammation of the chest in children. A strong infusion 
given freely, and linen, or we should prefer lint, wrung out 
and wound twice round the chest, covered with two folds of 
flannel, and oiled silk over all, or some cloth that will keep 
in the steam. Renew every two hours. 
The Mint family of plants, some of which we noticed 
before, are also good as diaphoretics, especially 
CAT MINT (Nepera CatTarta). 
This is a large plant. "When full-grown it is 3 feet high, 
has broad, pale green leaves and white flowers like spearmint. 
The stems are whitish, hairy, and straight. The leaves come 
out two at a joint; they are broadest at the base, tapering to 
apoint. They are a little indented at the edge; the upper 
side of the leaf is bright green, the under side almost white. 
The plant has a strong, but not inpleenant smell, which 1 is 
almost loses on drying. 
