TONICS. 117 
gilangal resembles the preceding in taste, but is smaller, not 
exceeding the little finger in thickness, of a darker colour 
and of a stronger taste and smell. 
This root, as a tonic, is very valuable in dyspepsia, 
accompanied with an engorgement of the veins and sluggish 
circulation. It is highly recommended for piles by those who 
have well tested it for that ailment. Many of our readers 
will remember the lady’ doctor, Madame Duflot, and her 
husband. When they came to Dunedin, before they opened 
their show in the golden chariot, they came into our shop and 
asked for some gilangal root in powder. This being the first 
time we were asked for it in that form, we did not have any in 
stock, but ground it for them. They said they could take 
hity pounds of it. Soon afterwards we got some of their 
celebrated Dyspeptic Powder, and examining it carefully we 
found the gilangal was its chief ingredient, the other leading 
article in it being powdered aloes. No doubt it was a good 
mixture, but while.it cost them about.a penny a box, they sold it 
for Is. 6d. We have often been asked what we thought of 
them, especially the woman: We replied that the wonderful 
cures she seemed to make were greatly due to her magnetic 
power, imparted to her patients by long rubbing, assisted by 
tbe liniment, which was a very good mixture of cloves, 
peppermint, glycerine, and spirits; but alas like most human 
cures. they were not permanent. We scarcely know of one 
who was permanently benefited by the lady doctor. But 
returning to gilangal root, we must rank it as one of the best 
tonics. For the decoction one ounce bruised root to the pint ; 
powdered, one teaspoonful to the cup; a wineglassful of the 
former, and a half cup of the latter three times a day. 
GOLD THREAD (Cortis Triro1ta). 
The root of the creeping plant, gold thread, is slender, and 
ofa bright yellow colour. The leaves, which sana on slender 
footstalks, have a sharp-toothed margin, and a smooth-veined 
surface The flower stem is slender, round, rather longer than 
