FoodNetArchive

The standard book of recipes and housewife's guide, comprising as complete cook book

1901

Page 172 · 1 recipe record on this page

Presented as published in 1901. Historical recipes may not meet modern food-safety standards. Cook from the modern interpretation, not the original instructions.
Citrate of ilagnesium. — Commonly taken in effervescent solution. It is about the least disagreeable of all purgative medi- cines. Apothecaries mostly keep it already dissolved, in tightly corked and wired bot- tles. More convenient for keeping in a family is the solid granular citrate of mag- nesium ' which is to be dissolved when taken. Dose, of the bottled solution, a wine- glassful (more, or less, according to the amount of purging needed). Of the granu- lar citrate, from a teaspoonful to a table- spoonful. In the latter dose, it is quite an active cathartic ; although not so rapid in its operation as some other medicines ; and all persons are not alike susceptible to its action . Citrate of Potassium. — Like the citrate just mentioned, this has for one ingredient citric acid, obtained from lemon or lime- juice. This is neutralized by potassium (an alkaline metal) as it may be also by mag- nesium ; in each case making what chemists call salt. Citrate of potassium acts very slightly, if at all, on the bowels. It is used in solu- tion to cool the system and promote secre- tion from the skin and kidne3'S in fever. One way of taking it is in neutral mixture (one drachm of this citrate in four fluid- ounces of water) ; of which the dose is a tablespoonful every two or three hours. Another way is in effervescent solution. (See effervescing draught.) Cloves, Oil of. — A strong, warming aromatic, from flower-buds of the caryophyl- lus aromaticus of the East Indies. A hot tea is sometimes made of cloves, to be given in cholera-morbus. If the oil should be taken, for colic, its dose would be not more than a drop or two, on a lump of sugar, followed by a drink of cold water. The tea may be made by pour- ing a teacup ful of boiling water on half a teaspoonful of clovesTea of Cloves, covering and leaving 42 THE FAMILY DOCTOR it to stand for a few minutes. Dose, a des- sertspoonful (two teaspoonfuls, or half a tablespoonful) . Oil of cloves is a good remedy for tooth- ache in a hollow tooth. Wet a pledget of cotton well wnth it, and push it into the cavity of the tooth with the end of a bodkin or knitting-needle. Cocoa Butter. — Cocoa butter is a good soothing application for bi'uises of any part of the body. It is well always to have it in the house. Cod=Liver Oil. — Obtained, as its name indicates, from the livers of codfish. It is very nourishing and fattening to wasted and wasting bodies, sometimes checking the progress even of pulmonary consumption. Its taste is quite disagreeable. Dose^ from a teaspoonful to a tablespoonful (the latter best) thrice daily, for a grown person. Many ways have been tried to make it less unpleasant to take ; following it with strong mint-drops, mixing it in coffee, rinsing the mouth first with brandy or whiskey, pour- ing it into the frofh of ale, etc. I doubt whether any way (unless it is put up in gelatine capsules, is better than to salt and pepper it, and then bolt it down ; afterwards rinsing the mouth with tincture of myrrh and water. Children generally do not mind taking it, unless their fears have been aroused by talking about it.