Suffolk did not communicate with the land for twenty weeks and one day, and yet they had only fifteen sick during the voyage, and those fifteen were but slightly affected, and were speedily cured by the augmentation of the first allowance of twothirds of an ounce of this Juice; and on her arrival not a man had the scurvy. The Channel fleet, in 1800, consisted of twentyfour ships of the line, besides smaller vessels, and had no fresh provisions for sixteen weeks; but the men had plenty of Lemon Juice, and not a single case of scurvy occurred. The Channel fleet, in 1789, could not be kept at sea beyond ten weeks, for the crew were worn out with scurvy; and 2,500 men were sent into port with this disease. It is stated in Purchas's "Pilgrim,” that Commodore Lancashire sailed from England, with three other ships, for the Cape of Good Hope, on the 2nd of April, and arrived in Saldanah Bay on the 1st of August. The crew were in perfect health, because he caused three table spoonsful of Lemon Juice to be given daily to each of the company; but the other ships' company were so sickly as to be unable to perform duty, and the Commodore was compelled to send a supply of men to take in their sails and to hoist out their boats. It should be mentioned, by way of caution, that as some have supposed vinegar would be a good substitute for Lemon Juice in cases of scurvy, Dr. Elliotson says, "the administration of vinegar has very little power over the disease." With regard to local application, it is to be observed, that Lemon Juice is one of the best when there is a scorbutic ulcer. Evidence of a similar tendency might be multiplied greatly, but this will be sufficient to show the great utility of the article in the navy, in emigrant and other ships making long voyages; and it is much to be regretted it has not been more generally used. There can, therefore, be no doubt of the great utility of this specific; and the cost need be no obstacle, as it can be obtained, in perfection, at about the price of vinegar, on application to the wholesale confectioners, or the foreign fruit brokers. LEECHES. The part to which Leeches are intended to be applied should be washed with a little soap and warm water, then with simple cold water, and, lastly, well dried. If the part be hot and inflamed, the Leeches should be put for a few minutes into tepid water; and this should be done, also, when they are to be applied in the mouth, or to any part of the body warmer than the general surface. Immediately before they are used they should be dried, by rolling them in a clean soft towel; then place them in the lid of a chip pill box, and apply to the affected part. Dr. Anthony Thomson considers "that the easiest and best mode of applying them is-first, to place the number to be used in a hollow (made with the points of the fingers) in a towel, folded like a napkin; then, so to turn the towel and the Leeches upon the part where it is intended they should fix, that the towel will cover them, and the hand be kept over the towel to prevent their escape, until they all bite, which usually happens in a few minutes, then the towel may be removed. If this plan, however," he adds, "cannot be pursued, owing to the nature of the part to which they are applied, then the simplest method is to scratch the skin with the point of a needle, and to apply the Leech to the spot moistened with the blood. A narrow tube, called a Leech-glass, will be found useful when we wish to affix one inside the mouth, or to any particular spot." Leeches should never be forcibly detached, as their teeth are apt to separate, and, being left in the wound, to cause an erysipelatous inflammation on the part. They should be permitted to drop spontaneously, which being the effect of temporary suffocation, all muscular energy ceases in the animal, and the teeth shrinking, it drops off entire. When they have all dropped off, the bleeding may be kept up for an hour and upwards by fomenting the part, or, more conveniently for the patient, by a succession of poultices. Twice as much blood may be usually withdrawn by fomentations as by the suction of the Leech. A single Leech, when applied successfully, may thus be held to draw, on an average, about a table spoonful of blood. If the bleeding do not stop spontaneously, it may generally be checked by the application of a piece of soft dry lint. Sometimes, however, the bleeding is with difficulty controlled, especially in children. "I have twice," says Professor Christison, "known children bled to death in this way in hospital practice, the nurses having laboured under the common prejudice, that Leech-bites cannot bleed too much. Pressure will always arrest such bleeding; but in some cases it is evidently impossible to apply adequate pressure. It is proper, therefore," he adds, 66 in young patients, to select, for the application of Leeches, a part which admits of pressure, a part, for example, over a bone, or any other resisting medium, and not the abdomen or neck, or any soft part destitute of firm support underneath." It sometimes happens that, in strong men, the bleeding from a Leechbite is extremely troublesome, it then becomes necessary to stop it with vinegar, or a strong hot solution of alum; in more obstinate cases a ligature of thread must be resorted to; but here, of course, surgical aid will be sought. An important object in the management of Leeches is, to render them soon serviceable again, after they have sucked. It has been recently stated, that they may be rendered, in a few days, as active and useful as ever, by dissolving a little white sugar in the water, and renewing this solution twice at intervals of twelve hours, and twice afterwards, at intervals of a day. Professor Christison has tried this plan, and found that the same Leeches drew blood three times at intervals of three days, with scarcely any diminution of activity, and without a death among them. LENITIVE ELECTUARY.-An old and favourite preparation, and one of the mildest of the more effectual laxative compositions in the pharmacopoeias. The dose is from two to four tea spoonsful. When the bowels are sluggish, or where it is required to keep them more than usually active, a tea spoonful may be taken night and morning, as occasion requires. The preparation of this Electuary is troublesome and expensive, and it is generally spurious, containing neither senna nor the pulps of fruits. Mr. Dinneford, in making his preparation, implicitly follows the directions of the Pharmacopoeia, and having given especial attention to the process, it will be found unique in excellence, and its superiority readily acknowledged. LINSEED-IS emollient and demulcent. The best form for internal use is Linseed Tea, made by infusing an ounce of Linseed, and half an ounce of liquorice root in two pints of boiling. water for four hours. It may be sweetened with honey, which some think increases its emollient properties. The dose is a small tea cupful. A liniment, composed of equal parts of Linseed oil and lime water, is an excellent application to recent scalds and burns. MAGNESIA-Is ant-acid and laxative. It is in great request in dyspepsia attended with acidity, from the advantage of its being gently aperient. Serious mischief, however, has resulted from the continuous administration of Magnesia in powder, by its accumulation in the bowels. To obviate this objection, the "Pure Fluid Magnesia," rendered so by an excess of carbonic acid, was prepared. In calculous affections, in gastrodynia, in infantile complaints, and in all cases where Magnesia is serviceable, this mode of administering it will be most effectual. The following is very useful in heartburn and most cases of acidity of the stomach. Take of Fluid Magnesia.... Essence of Peppermint.. Tincture of Orange Peel.. 11⁄2 ounce .10 drops 1 dram If the bowels are Mix for a draught—to be taken occasionally. costive, add one scruple of rhubarb to the draught. MANNA-Used to be regarded as a species of sugar, but, according to Dr. Prout, it consists chiefly of a principle named Mannite, which differs from sugar in not being susceptible of fermentation. Manna has a sweet and somewhat nauseous taste. Its medical effects are somewhat laxative; though mild in its operation, it is apt occasionally to produce flatulence and griping, and hence it is principally used in combination with other cathartics, particularly with senna, the bitter taste of which it covers. This combination is in common use as a purgative to children. MERCURY WITH CHALK (Grey Powder).—This is one of the mildest of the Mercurial preparations, and is frequently given to children as an alterative, and to correct the biliary secretion, and especially to increase it when deficient in quantity, and when the stools are clay-coloured or white. Its extreme mildness requires that its use should be continued. Dose-for a child three years old, two grains. MINDERERUS SPIRIT-Is an excellent and efficient diaphoretic. Its operation should be promoted by tepid drinks, and by the surface of the body being kept warm, as otherwise it is apt to pass off by the kidneys. It is easily retained on the stomach, and often allays the irritability of that organ. The usual dose is from four to twelve drams; but the following mixture is the most convenient form for administering it as a diaphoretic— Mindererus Spirit. Nitre..... Simple Syrup. Orange Flower Water.. Camphor Mixture. .... Dose-two table spoonsful every four hours. ..2 ounces .1 ounce 1 ounce .4 ounces MORPHIA. The administration of Morphia, and its entire preparations, should be left to the physician. (See Opium.) MUSTARD-Applied to the surface of the body acts as a local irritant, producing inflammation attended with much pain, and, if the application be long continued, it even blisters. It is very generally employed in the form of cataplasm (poultice) to the soles of the feet or calves of the legs, in cases in which there is determination to the head. The best plan of preparing the poultice is, simply to mix common table mustard with lukewarm water, and spread it on a piece of linen. Mustard poultices produce inflammation in from fifteen to twenty minutes: the length of time they should be left on must be regulated by the feelings of the patient, but if he be insensible, they should be removed as soon as the skin is reddened. MYRRH-Is a valuable stimulating tonic; it improves the appetite, and generally agrees well with the stomachs of delicate persons, especially when the bowels have a relaxed tendency. The alcholic solution has long been used as a tooth tincture, and, with the addition of borax, is sanctioned by the highest authority as being the best detergent application for the teeth and gums. NITRE-In the present day is principally employed for its refrigerant properties. Nitre Whey, prepared by boiling two drams of Nitre in a pint of new milk, and straining, is an excellent cooling drink in mild febrile diseases. Dose-from two to four ounces. A small portion of Nitre kept in the mouth, and allowed to dissolve slowly, often checks the progress of commencing inflammatory sore throat. It is also a good addition to gargles for inflammatory sore throat, as in the following: When Nitre produces spasm in the stomach, it should be discontinued. OPIUM. The especial uses of Opium, in the treatment of disease, are so numerous that it is impossible here even to mention them. In rheumatism, both acute and chronic, in obstinate irritating coughs, in febrile diseases, in common cholic, Opium is an important remedy, as relieving the excruciating and wearying pain of these disorders. Few persons who have indulged in the use of Opium can readily relinquish the custom; and the sudden disuse of a substance, which acts as a charm in affording a momentary happiness, cannot be expected. The extent to which Opium is occasionally indulged in by Opium eaters is almost incredible. Truly, the appetite grows by what it feeds on. It would, however, be most irrelevant here to pursue the enquiry respecting the employment of Opium, and the distinct precautions |