Spiced syrup of rhubarb is one of the
often est useful of all domestic medicines.
It contains, besides rhubarb, cloves, cinna-
mon, nutmeg, alcohol, sugar and water. It
is therefore aromatic and gently stimulant,
as w^ell as promotive of action of the bowels.
This last effect, that of a purgative, is so
slight, that it is generally useful in correct-
ing irregular intestinal secretion, and thus
curing diarrha:a, if given at an early stage.
It is also very relieving to colicky pain wdth
diarrhoea ; and is an excellent ' ' vehicle ' '
with which to mix other medicines of nasty
taste, as castor-oil ; or those which do not
readily dissolve in pure water.
The dose of spiced syrup of rhubarb is
from a teaspoonful to a tablespoonful ; not
as a purgative, for which effect the simple
syrup of rhubarb is better ; but to corj-ect
and relieve diarrhoea, especially when accom-
panied w^iih pain, at an early stage.
Rochelle Salts : Tartrate of sodium and
potassium. A not very disagreeable, mod-
erately active, purgative medicine ; one of
the most convenient and suitable at the be-
ginning of an inflammatory or febrile ill-
ness ; such 2iS bronchitis , pneumonia, measles,
scarlet fever, remittent fever , etc. Dose, from
a teaspoonful to a tablespoonful, dissolved
in a fourth or a third part of a tumblerful of
water.
Santonin. — One of the most effectual
vermifuges; that is, medicines which either
kill or drive out w^orms. It must be used
with care, as excessive doses are violent in
their action ; w^e may say poisonous. For
lumbidcord worms, the commonest kind, one
grain w^ill be a dose for an adult ; a quarter
of a grain, or less for a child. For seat-
worms (^ those small ones which inhabit the
lower bow^el; and cause anno3nng itching of
the aniis or outlet) suppositories of santonin
are the best remedy. These are made of
cocoa butter, with two or three grains of
santonin in each ; one being inserted into the
bowel at bedtime.
Sassafras Pith. — A very soft material,
which gives a soothing (demulcent) prop-
erty to water in which it is placed. It is
often used in this way for inflammation of
the eyes.
Seidlitz Powders. — Made by mixing bi-
carbonate of sodium, and tartrate of potas-
sium and sodium (rochelle salt), in powder
together, for one paper. For another paper,
tartaric acid is put up, in proportionate
quantit}^ When administered, each powder
is dissolved in water, and the two solutions
are poured together. It is a mild but
prompt effervescing purgative, much in use
before the invention of the effervescing solu-
tion of citrate of magnesium. Each saline
powder contains forty grains of bicarbonate
of sodium (soda) and two drachms of Ro-
chelle salt. Each acid powder consists of
thirt^^-five grains of tartaric acid.
Senna. — The leaves of an Eastern plant ;
an active purgative, with a disposition to
give some griping pain in its operation.
This may be prevented by adding fennel
seed {an aromatic^ or oil of fennel to it
when given.
Fluid extract of senna is a neat and not
very unpleasant preparation ; with a drop of
oil of fennel to each ounce, it is a very good
laxative for infants or older children. Fluid
extract of spigelia and senna has been men-
tioned already. ✪ Spiced Syrup of Rhubarb
Page 192 · 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.
AI-modernized reading of the original text
Spiced syrup of rhubarb is one of the often est useful of all domestic medicines. It contains, besides rhubarb, cloves, cinnamon, nutmeg, alcohol, sugar and water. It is therefore aromatic and gently stimulant, as w^ell as promotive of action of the bowels. This last effect, that of a purgative, is so slight, that it is generally useful in correcting irregular intestinal secretion, and thus curing diarrhoea, if given at an early stage. It is also very relieving to colicky pain wdth diarrhoea ; and is an excellent ' ' vehicle ' ' with which to mix other medicines of nasty taste, as castor-oil ; or those which do not readily dissolve in pure water.
The dose of spiced syrup of rhubarb is from a teaspoonful to a tablespoonful ; not as a purgative, for which effect the simple syrup of rhubarb is better ; but to corj-ect and relieve diarrhoea, especially when accompanied w^iih pain, at an early stage.
Rochelle Salts : Tartrate of sodium and potassium. A not very disagreeable, moderately active, purgative medicine ; one of the most convenient and suitable at the beginning of an inflammatory or febrile illness ; such 2iS bronchitis , pneumonia, measles, scarlet fever, remittent fever , etc. Dose, from a teaspoonful to a tablespoonful, dissolved in a fourth or a third part of a tumblerful of water.
Santonin. — One of the most effectual vermifuges; that is, medicines which either kill or drive out w^orms. It must be used with care, as excessive doses are violent in their action ; w^e may say poisonous. For lumbidcord worms, the commonest kind, one grain w^ill be a dose for an adult ; a quarter of a grain, or less for a child. For seatworms (^ those small ones which inhabit the lower bow^el; and cause anno3nng itching of the aniis or outlet) suppositories of santonin are the best remedy. These are made of cocoa butter, with two or three grains of santonin in each ; one being inserted into the bowel at bedtime.
Sassafras Pith. — A very soft material, which gives a soothing (demulcent) prop-
erty to water in which it is placed. It is often used in this way for inflammation of the eyes.
Seidlitz Powders. — Made by mixing bicarbonate of sodium, and tartrate of potassium and sodium (rochelle salt), in powder together, for one paper. For another paper, tartaric acid is put up, in proportionate quantit}^ When administered, each powder is dissolved in water, and the two solutions are poured together. It is a mild but prompt effervescing purgative, much in use before the invention of the effervescing solution of citrate of magnesium. Each saline powder contains forty grains of bicarbonate of sodium (soda) and two drachms of Rochelle salt. Each acid powder consists of thirt^^-five grains of tartaric acid.
Senna. — The leaves of an Eastern plant ; an active purgative, with a disposition to give some griping pain in its operation. This may be prevented by adding fennel seed {an aromatic^ or oil of fennel to it when given.
Fluid extract of senna is a neat and not very unpleasant preparation ; with a drop of oil of fennel to each ounce, it is a very good laxative for infants or older children. Fluid extract of spigelia and senna has been mentioned already.
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Spiced Syrup of Rhubarb