Ransom's family receipt book, 1886

Croup ! That vulture of the night which sweeps down upon our little ones sleeping so quietly by our side, and, almost without a moment’s warning, bears them from our reach forever— what father, what mother, does not tremble at its name ? It chooses the darkness for its ravages, and stealing insidiously upon its victims, suffocates them in our arms almost before their first faint cries for help are heard. We awake— -we find our darling vainly struggling for breath; the harsh, rasping cough strikes terror to our quivering nerves— we are con¬ fused, we hesitate, we can think of nothing to do, our reason forsakes us, no physician is near, the deadly membrane is fast cutting off the little one’s breath, there is a wheezing, sucking sound as he gasps for life, his strength fails — one feeble word, one pleading look— and our darling is dead— -within a few minutes from the first dread signal. Parents, we know you need never have this experience if you have a bottle of “Ransom’s Hive Syrup and Tolu ” in the house, and if you use it according to directions. The croupy cough will loosen, the dangerous membrane that was forming over the windpipe will be cut away, the fever will abate, the strength will return, and in a few moments your child, who was within fifteen minutes of the grave, will be sleep¬ ing sweetly by your side. If you have “Trask’s Magnetic Ointment,” rub it warm on the throat and chest and wrap well with warm flannel. This will make the breathing freer and hasten tue cure. But do not get careless, thinking the danger all over. Next day watch the child carefully, keep it out of draughts,— in bed if necessary. Keep the Ointment on, mix a teaspoonful of the Syrup with ten of water, and give a teaspoonful of the mixture every hour until bed-time. Continue this treatment until well,. Should child become worse at night follow directions on bottle again. (16) King of the Blood cures Scrofula. INDIAN-MEAL GRUEL, — i tablespoonful of fine Indian or oat-meal, mixed smooth with cold water and a salt spoon of salt ; pour upon this a pint of boiling water and turn into a saucepan to boil gently for half an hour ; thin it with boiling water if it thickens too much, and stir frequently ; when it is done, a tablespoonful of cream or a little new milk may be put in to cool it after straining, but if the patient’s stomach is weak it is best with¬ out either. Some persons like it sweetened and a little nutmeg added, but to many it is more palatable plain. MILK PORRIDGE. — 2 cups best oat-meal, 2 cups water, 2 cups milk. Soak the oat-meal over night in the water ; strain in the morning, and boil the water half an hour. Put in the milk with a little salt, boil up well and serve. Eat warm, -with or without powdered sugar. THICKENED MILK. — With a little milk, mix smooth a tablespoonful of flour and a pinch of salt. Pour upon it a quart of boiling milk, and when it is thoroughly amalgamated put all back into the saucepan, and boil up once, being careful not to burn, and stirring all the time, to keep it per¬ fectly smooth and free from lumps. Serve with slices of dry toast, it is excellent in diarrhoea, and becomes a specific by scorching the flour before mixing with the milk. 0 KEEP THE BLOOD PURE, AND IN ACTIVE CIRCULATION.—