Description of root.- The root of this plant is large, white and fleshy, spindle shaped, branching. As found in commerce it consists of lengthwise or crosswise pieces from 1 to 6 inches in length and about three-fourths of an inch in thickness. It is wrinkled lengthwise and also transversely and has a knotty head. The thin bark is orange brown and the wood yellowish, with white rays. It has no odor, and a somewhat bitter, acrid taste.

Collection, prices and uses.- The root, which is usually found rather deep in the soil, is collected in autumn, cut into transverse or lengthwise slices, and dried. The price ranges from 6 to 10 cents a pound.

Pleurisy-root was much esteemed by the Indians, has long been used in domestic practice, and is official in the United States Pharmacopoeia. It is used in disordered digestion and in affections of the lungs, in the last-named instance to promote expectoration, relieve pains in the chest, and induce easier breathing. It is also useful in producing perspiration.

Other species. Besides the official pleurisyroot there are two other species of Asclepias which are employed to some extent for the same

PLEURISY-ROOT (Asclepias).

purposes, namely, the common milkweed and the swamp-milkweed.

The common milkweed (Asclepias syriaca L.) is a perennial, native in fields and waste places from Canada to North Carolina and Kansas. It has a stout, usually simple stem 3 to 5 feet in height and oblong or oval leaves, smooth on the upper surface and densely hairy beneath. The flowers, similar in form to those of Asclepias tuberosa, are pinkish purple and appear from June to August, followed by erect pods 3 to 5 inches long, wooly with matted hairs and covered with prickles and borne on recurved stems. The plant contains an abundance of milky juice.

The root of the common milkweed is from I to 6 feet long, cylindrical and finely wrinkled. The short branches and scars left by former stems give the root a rough, knotty appearance. The bark is thick, grayish brown, and the inside white, the root breaking with a short, splintery fracture. Common milkweed root has a very bitter taste, but no odor.

It is collected in autumn and cut into transverse slices before drying. Common milkweed root ranges from 6 to 8 cents a pound.

Swamp-milkweed (Asclepias incarnata L.) is a native perennial herb found in swamps from Canada to Tennessee and Kansas. The slender stem, leafy to the top, is 1 to 2 feet in height, branched above, the leaves lance shaped or oblong lance shaped. The flowers, also similar to those of tuberosa, appear from July to September, and are flesh colored or rose colored. The pods are 2 to 31⁄2 inches long, erect, and very sparingly hairy.

The root of the swamp-milkweed, which is also collected in autumn is not quite an inch in length, hard and knotty, with several light-brown rootlets. The tough white wood, which has a thick central pith, is covered with a thin, yellowish brown bark. It is practically without odor, and the taste, sweetish at first, finally becomes bitter. This root brings about 3 cents a pound.

COMFREY.

Symphytum officinale L.

Other common names.-Symphytum, healingherb, knitback, ass-ear, backwort, blackwort, bruisewort, gum-plant, slippery-root.

Habitat and range.- Comfrey is naturalized from Europe, and occurs in waste places from Newfoundland to Minnesota, south to Maryland.

Description of plant.- This coarse, rough, hairy perennial herb is from 2 to 3 feet high, erect and branched, with thick, rough leaves, the lower ones ovate lance shaped, 3 to 10 inches long, pointed at the apex, and narrowed at the base into margined stems. The uppermost leaves are lance shaped, smaller and stemless. Comfrey is in flower from June to August, the purplish or dirty-white, tubular, bell-shaped flowers numerous and borne in dense terminal clusters. The nutlets which follow are brown, shining, and somewhat wrinkled. Comfrey belongs to the borage family (Boraginaceae).

Description of root.- Comfrey has a large, deep, spindle-shaped root, thick and fleshy at the top, white inside, and covered with a thin, blackish brown bark. The dried root is hard, black and very deeply and roughly wrinkled, breaking with a smooth, white, waxy fracture. As it occurs in commerce it is in pieces ranging from about an inch to several inches in length, only about one-fourth of an inch in thickness, and usually considerably bent. It has a very

COMFREY (Symphytum officinale).

mucilaginous, somewhat sweetish and astringent taste, but no odor.

Collection, prices and uses.- The root is dug in autumn, or sometimes in early spring. Comfrey root when first dug is very fleshy and juicy, but about four-fifths of its weight is lost in drying. The price ranges from 4 to 8 cents a pound.

The mucilaginous character of comfrey root renders it useful in coughs and diarrheal complaints. Its action is demulcent and slightly astringent.

The leaves are also used to some extent.

Newspaper Advertising.

As a general proposition, it may be said, that the country merchant, as a rule, gives less attention to his newspaper advertising than any other medium he employs to attract the attention of the public. How often does he permit his card to stand for months and months at a time without any change in the copy. This is dead wrong, and is one of the first conditions which modern competition and energy must overcome in every up-to-date business. Resolve that you are not going to waste money on poor advertising this year. Money spent in correct newspaper advertising is just like spending just that much money for the coaling of your vessel. Good advertising is just like the coal which makes steam and pushes your ship onward. The advertising, like the coal, must be handled by one who knows how to keep the fires and run the engines. The heat that makes only luke-warm water and gives out no steam, is practically wasted. Apply this to your advertising, and don't- please don't-just continue to waste your advertising space. - Brains.

Acne.

Resorcin, 2 p.; salicylic acid, 2 p.; green soap, 3 p.; zinc ointment, 3 p.

2. Sulphur, 30 gr.; potassium carbonate, 20 gr.; carbolic acid, 10 d.; vaseline, 1 oz. Ague.

Quinine sulphate, 11⁄2 dr.; iron sulphate, i dr. ; oil sassafras, 30 d.; oil black pepper, 30 d.; arsenious acid, 2 gr. Mix; divide into 30 pills.

One three times a day.

2. Tincture eucalyptus, 1 oz.; tincture capsicum, 21⁄2 dr; tincture serpentaria, 2 oz.; tincture myrrh, 21⁄2 dr.; quinine sulphate, 30 gr.; tincture nux vomica, 1 dr.; elixir licorice q.s. 8 oz. Dose 1⁄2 tablespoonful.

Alcohol (to deodorize).

Alcohol, 160 oz.; powdered quicklime, 300 gr.; powdered alum, 150 gr.; spirit nitrous ether, 11⁄4 dr. Mix the lime and alum together, add the alcohol, shake well, then add the spirit ether; set aside for a week and filter through animal charcoal.

Almond Meal.

Almond meal (powdered), 6 oz.; orris root (powdered), 4 oz.; wheat flour, 4 oz.; white castile soap (powdered), 1 oz.; borax, 1 oz.; oil bitter almonds, 10 d; oil bergamot, 2 dr.; tincture musk, 1 dr. Mix well and sift.

Ammonia (household).

Aqua ammonia, 16 p.; yellow soap, 64 p.; potassium nitrate, 1 p.; soft water q.s., 200 p. Dissolve soap in water by heat, add the potassium salt, cool, filter and add the ammonia.

2. Soft soap, 1 oz.; borax, 2 dr.; cologne water, 1⁄2 oz.; strong water ammonia, 51⁄2 oz.; water q.s. 12 OZ.

*Copyright, 1908, by Spatula Publishing Co.

29

3. Sodium carbonate, 5 lb.; stronger water ammonia, 8 pt.; water, 12 pt. Mix; filter. Ammonia (toilet).

Aq. ammonia, 250 cc.; green soap, 120 gm.; oleic acid, 10 cc.; bay oil, 1 cc.; rosemary oil, I cc.; verbena oil, 5 cc.; water q.s. 1000 CC. Dissolve soap in 500 cc. of warm water, and when cool add the ammonia water and the oils, mix by agitation and add lastly the oleic acid and enough water to make 1000 CC.

Anodyne.

Potassium bromide, 2 oz.; ether, 1 oz.; alcohol, 2 oz.; tincture hyoscyamus, 3 oz; simple elixir, 3 oz.; sugar, 5 oz.; water, 4 oz. Mix. Antipyretic-liquid.

Acetanilide, I oz.; alcohol, 12 oz.; salol, 1 dr. ; caffein, I dr.; tartaric acid, 1 dr.; oil lemon, 2 dr. Dissolve the salol, caffein, acetanilide and oil lemon in 12 oz. alcohol. Add to the above a mixture composed of water, 10 oz.; alcohol, 8 oz.; simple syrup, 8 oz. Dissolve the tartaric acid in the water. Mix and filter.

Ant Exterminator.

Sulphur, 1 lb.; Paris green, 1⁄2 lb. Apply to their nests, runways and places where they frequent. This is said to be very effective.

Antiseptic Powder.

Borax, 3 oz.; dried alum, 3 oz.; thymol, 22 gr.; eucalyptol, 20 d.; menthol 11⁄2 gr.; phenol, 15 gr.; oil wintergreen, 4 d. Mix.

2.

oz.; zinc sulphocarbolate, 1 oz.; thymic acid, I dr.

4. Boric acid, 70; iodoform, 25; salicylic acid, 4; oil eucalyptus, 1.

Antiseptic Solution.

Eucalyptol, dr.; menthol, i dr.; thymol, 1 dr.; oil wintergreen, 1 dr.; fluidextract baptisia, I oz.; benzoic acid (natural), 1 oz.; boric acid, 3 oz.; powdered orris root, 10 dr.; alcohol, 3 pt. ; water, 5 pt. Dissolve the first six ingredients in the alcohol, add the orris powder and shake frequently during 3 or 4 days. Heat the water to about 60° C. Dissolve the boric acid in it and add to the alcohol solution while warm. Shake occasionally during 14 days. Filter.

2. Menthol, 64 gr.; thymol, 64 gr.; oil wintergreen, 64 min.; oil eucalyptus, 64 min.; benzoic acid, 64 gr.; fluidextract baptisia, 3 dr.; boric acid, 4 oz.; alcohol, 36 oz.; water q.s., 8 pt. Mix and allow to macerate in a cool place for 24 hours; filter through talcum. The first pint must be passed through the filter several times until clear, and it is better to fill the filter with talcum before pouring on the liquid. Costs about 90 cents per gallon.

3. Oil eucalyptus, 10 gr.; oil wintergreen, 10 gr.; menthol, 10 gr.; thymol, 10 gr.; boric acid, 1⁄2 oz.; alcohol, 41⁄2 oz.; water q.s., 1 pt.

Asperient.

Sulphate magnesia, 12 oz.; tartaric acid, 8 oz.; calcined magnesia, 3 oz.; sugar, 18 oz.; bicar. bonate soda, 6 oz.; essence lemon, 30 d. Dry the powders separately, mix and sift; bottle. Dose: two teaspoonfuls in water.

Arnica Jelly.

Starch, 150 gr.; glycerine, 2 oz.; water, 1⁄2 oz. Heat until clear. When about cool add tincture arnica, 20 min.; oil neroli, 5 d.

Aromatic Vinegar.

Gum camphor, 1 oz.; oil cloves, 1 dr.; oil cedrat, 40 gr.; oil lavender, 40 gr.; oil bergamot, 20 gr.; oil thyme, 20 gr.; oil cinnamon, 10 gr.; acetic acid (glacial), 1⁄2 lb. Mix.

Asthma.

Stramonium leaves, 1 oz.; belladonna leaves, I oz.; saltpetre, 72 gr.; opium, 30 gr. Mix. To be burned and the vapors inhaled.

2. Potassium nitrate, 1⁄2 oz.; aniseed, 1⁄2 oz.;

3. Stramonium leaves, 150 gm.; potassium carbonate, o 25 gm.; potassium chlorate, 1 gm.; potassium nitrate, 50 gm.; distilled water, 100 gm. The cut leaves are thoroughly moistened with the hot solution of salts and then allowed to dry.

Atomizer Liquid for Sick Rooms.

Eucalyptol, 10 p.; oil thyme, 5 p.; oil lemon, 5 p.; oil lavender, 5 p.; spirits (90%), 110 p. Mix. Add teaspoonful of above to a pint of water for evaporation.

Axle Grease.

Tallow, 8 lb.; palm oil, 10 lb.; plumbago, 1 lb. Mix.

Baking Powder.

Tartaric acid, 1 lb.; cream tartar, 21⁄2 lb.; soda bicarb., 31⁄2 lb.; corn starch, 6 lb.

2.

Cream tartar, 3 lb.; bicarbonate soda, 221⁄2 oz.; flour, 1 lb.; corn starch, 1⁄2 lb.

3. Cream tartarl 2 lb.; bicarbonate soda, I lb.; powdered starch, 3⁄44 lb.

4. Tartaric acid, 1 lb.; bicarbonate soda, 1 lb.; powdered starch, 1 lb.

5. Cream tartar, 3 lb.; tartaric acid, 1 lb.; bicarbonate soda, 3 lb.; corn starch, 6 lb.

6. Cream tartar, 3 lb.; soda bicarbonate, 11⁄2 lb. corn starch, 11⁄2 lb.; tartaric acid, 1 oz. Balm.

Camphor, 20 gr.; menthol, 30 gr.; thymol, 10 gr.; boric acid, 15 gr.; white wax, 2 dr.; white petrolatum q.s., 1 oz.

Bateman's Drops.

Tartaric acid, 10 oz.; soda bicarbonate, 9 oz. ; almond meal, 3 oz.; powdered orris, 2 oz. ; starch, I OZ. Mix. Add few spoonfuls to bath. Battery Fluids.

Potash bichromate, 2 oz.; sulphuric acid, 3 oz.; water, 16 oz.

2. Potash bichromate, 2 oz.; sulphuric acid, 3 oz.; water, 1 pt.; mercury bisulphate, 2 dr. 3. Chromic acid (commercial), 1 lb.; sulphuric acid, 10 oz.; water, 120 OZ.

4. Soda bichromate, 2 ozs.; sulphuric acid, 3 oz.; water, 1 pt.

Bay Rum.

Oil bay, 6 dr.; oil orange, 1⁄2 dr.; tincture

31

benzoin, 4 dr.; powdered orris root, 11⁄2 oz.; water, 4 pt.; alcohol, 4 pt.

2.

Oil bay, 10 dr.; magnesia carbonate, 2 oz.; alcohol, 8 pt.; water, 8 pt.; New England rum, 2 pt.; acetic ether, 1 oz.; oil pimento, 5 min.

3. Oil bay, 4 oz. ; oil pimento, 2 dr. ; oil cloves, I dr.; oil bergamot, 2 dr.; alcohol; water, aa 2 gal. Dissolve oils in alcohol; add water, let stand a day and filter through talcum.

4. Oil bay, 4 dr.; acetic ether, i dr.; alcohol, 3 pt.; powdered talcum, 2 oz.; American saffron, 30 gr.; water, 5 pt. Mix oil, ether, alcohol and talcum; shake well, add the water and saffron, shake again. Stand 24 hours; filter.

Bed Bug Poison.

Corrosive sublimate, 4 oz.; muriate ammonia, 4 oz.; water, 4 pt.; glycerine, 4 oz.; wood alcohol, 4 pt. Mix.

2.

Mercurial ointment, 2 oz.; soft soap, 2 oz. ; spirit turpentine, 1 pt.

3. Camphor, 1 oz.; turpentine, 2 oz.; corrosive sublimate, 1⁄2 oz.; wood alcohol, 8 oz.

4. Gasoline, 1 pt.; naphtholine, 1 oz.; red aniline q.s., color.

5. Corrosive sublimate, 1⁄2 oz.; wood alcohol, 12 oz.; spirit turpentine, 4 oz.; blue aniline, 5 gr. 6. Corrosive sublimate, 1 oz.; spirit camphor, 2 oz ; turpentine, 2 oz.; copal varnish q.s., 12 oz. Apply to beds and crevices with small brush. Beef, Wine and Iron.

Extract beef, 512 gr.; detannated sherry wine, 26 oz.; alcohol, 4 oz.; citrate iron and ammonia, 256 gr.; simple syrup, 12 oz., tincture orange, 2 oz.; tincture cardamom comp., 1 oz.; citric acid, 10 gr.; water q.s., 4 pt. Mix. Stand 24 hours, shaking frequently and filter. Use fresh orange tincture.

Benzine Emulsion.

White castile soap, 1⁄2 dr.; alcohol, 4 dr.; glycerine, 1 oz.; ammonia water, 1 oz.; sulph. ether, 1 oz.; soft water q.s., 1 pt. Mix. Add 12 dr. of this mixture to a pint bottle and add gasoline little at a time shaking thoroughly after each addition until bottle is full. This makes a thick white cream.

Benzine (to deodorize).

Benzine, 20 oz.; oil lavender, I dr.; potassium dichromate, 1 oz.; sulphuric acid, 1 oz.; water,