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

Podophyllin, ox Resina Podophylli — This is an active principle obtained from the root of the common May-apple {podophyllum peltatum). The powdered root itself may be taken in doses of ten to twenty grains. Of podophyllin, the dose is but from one-sixth to one-half or three-fourths of a grain. It is a powerful, though slowly- acting cathartic ; believed also to act more than most purgative medicines on the liver. Potassa (Potash). — Solution of potassa is sometimes given as a medicine by physicians. Caustic potassa (vegetable caustic) is the solid stick, which, with care, maybe used to destroy warts. More often, bicarbonate of potassium is employed as an antacid, in ten or twenty-grain doses ; and as an ingredient in effervescing draught (which see) . This bicarbonate is also the sal aeratus (gaseus salt) of the bakery ; as, like bicarbonate of sodium, it gives off carbonic acid gas when an acid, such as tartaric acid, is added to it. Poultices. — These are used to warm and soften the skin, when applied to inflamed parts of the surface of the body ; particularly when a gathering (suppuration, abscess) i s expected. Also, they often do good in cases of internal inflammation {pneumonia, for example) by favoring the return of the blood to the skin, and thus unloading the part troubled with excess of blood. Flaxseed, (linseed), bran, mush, slippery - elm bark, charcoal, chopped carrots, and lye, POULTICE, COVERED WITH GAUZE. are among the materials most needed for poultices. Flaxseed meal, mixed with hot water, makes a good, soft convenient poultice for common use in ' ' gatherings ' ' of different parts of the body. Mix the meal well with enough hot water to make it hold together and spread easily, and yet not too soft to stay where it is put ; a poultice should never run. For use, it should be spread upon a piece of flannel or muslin laid on a hot plate or hot waiter ; something hot near the patient, so that it will be warm when applied. The edges of the rag should be turned over, to the width of about an inch, to keep the stuff in, and upon it may be laid a piece of thin and soft gauze or tarletan. The latter makes the poultice easier to remove, but is not otherwise necessary. A few drops of sweet oil (or lard oil) may with advantage be poured, or a little vaseline spread, upon the surface of a flaxseed poultice. When pain is great, half a teaspoonful to a teaspoonful of laudanum may be poured upon it. As soon as the poultice is put on the part, it should be covered with a piece of oiled silk, oiled paper, or thin rubber cloth, to prevent evaporation, and thus keep it moist. Without this, it will dry and become hard and cold in a little while. Bran will do as a substitute for flaxseed meal, when the latter cannot be obtained. Bread and vnish poultices are made and applied in the same way. One made with crumbs of moderately stale bread and hot water (better this always than milk, which may sour unpleasantly) is as soothing to the part as any poultice can be. Powder or slips of slippery -elm bark are also very soft, and perhaps more cooling to an irritated skin.