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

So marked is the power of Peruvian bark and its alkaloids, especially quinia, to stop chills, and to cure remittent fever, that it may be well called a specific remedy, even an antidote for them. Dose of quinine, as a simple tonic in cases of weakness, one or two grains every four hours, until from six to eight grains are taken daily. The form of pills is mcst convenient for this use ; one-grain or two- grain pills. For the cure of intermittent (chills, ague), more is needed ; from twelve to fifteen grains daily for about three days, and then lessening gradually, to ten, eight, and six grains a day, continuing the latter for two weeks. In pernicious intermittent, in the Southern States, yet larger doses are required. Remittent fever needs the knowl- edge and judgment of a physician to deal safely with it. Cinchonia (sulphate) agrees with some persons better than quinine. The latter, in doses amounting to over eight grains daily, makes many people's ears ring, or hum, or roar. Cinchonia hardly ever does this ; at least, in moderate doses. Quinidia and cin- chonidia also suit certain patients the best. The popular idea that quinine injures the health, especially when long taken, is entirely mistaken. If prescribed onl}^ in ordinary doses (not more than fifteen or twenty grains in twenty-four hours), it does no harm, and, in malarial cases, may often save life, as well as shorten the time of sick- 520 ness very much. In over-doses, it may cause tempoiary, or possibly permanent deafness. Extreme doses might even kill, by poisonous action on the brain ; but such amounts are never given by phy- sicians. I have known quinine to be taken, as much as from six to eight, or occasionally ten, grains daily, by a delicate person, for years together with good action as a tonic, and no disadvantage. Quinine may be taken in malarial cases, whether there h^ fever or not ; for example, in periodic attacks oi neuralgia. Other dis- eases, also, in certain localities, take on the periodic form : but for these we must refer to larger medical works. Rhatany. — This is the XQQ\.oi krameria, a South American shrub. It is astringent ; its tincture is the best preparation. Dose, a teaspoonful, in water. Used especially for diarrhoea. Rhubarb. — The root of an Asiatic and European plant, is a gentle purgative, with RHUBARB (rheum PALMATUM). also some tonic property, which makes it especially adapted to dyspeptic persons, and others disposed to constipation. Dose, ior such a use, from three to six or eight grains. Many people buy the root in pieces, as it comes in the shops, and cut off daily what, on trial, they find to suffice for them. Eess trouble attends the use of simple rhubarb pills ; one or more as may be necessary ; if only one, bedtime will be the best time to take it ; if two, one at night and one in the morning. Compou7id 7^hubarb pills contain also scatnmony 2.Vidi. aloes fboth strong cathartics). THE FAMILY DOCTOR 57 as well as myrrh. They are at least twice as active as simple rhubarb pills. Simple syrup of rhubarb is a very good opening medicine for infants. Dose, for a babe, about a teaspoonful.