Prepared (how).—­In powder and tincture.  To make tincture:  Gather the fresh root before the fruit is ripe, chop and pound to a pulp, and weigh.  Then take two parts of alcohol by weight, mix the pulp thoroughly with one-sixth of the alcohol and then add the rest of the alcohol.  Stir all, pour into a well stoppered bottle, let stand eight days, in a cool place.  Pour off, strain, filter.

Diseases, Dose, etc.—­The resin, called podophyllin, can be obtained, and is used in one-fourth to one-eighth grain as a laxative; one-sixteenth of a grain can be taken four times a day for chronic liver trouble.  Take ten drops of tincture four times a day for chronic diseases.  Some can take more.  For blood diseases., rheumatism, etc.

Marshmallow.  Mortification Root.  Altheae Officinalis.

Internally, used for.—­Hoarseness, gonorrhea, irritated bladder, acute dysentery, and diarrhea, blood in urine and gravel.

Externally, used for.—­Poultice for painful swellings, bruises, scalds, burns, poisons.

Part used.—­Root.

Gather.—­Autumn.

Flowers (when).—­July to September.

Grows (where).—­Europe and this country.

Prepared (how).—­Poultice; cut up finely and apply hot.  Decoction half ounce to two pints of boiling water and boil down to one pint.

Diseases, Dose, etc.—­Take one to three ounces four times a day for chronic diseases, and one ounce every two hours for acute troubles mentioned above.  It is a mild soothing drink and medicine.

[430 Mothers’ remedies]

Marigold.  Calendula Officinalis.

Externally, used.—­As a local remedy for cuts and wounds, applied constantly, it is the best remedy I know.

Part used.—­Leaves and flowers.

Gather.—­When in full bloom.

Grows (where).—­Well-known garden plant.

Prepared (how).—­Make a tincture of the flowers and leaves, or buy it.  To make tincture:  Take the fresh leaves at the top of the plant with the blossoms and buds, chop and pound to a pulp, enclose in a piece of new linen and press.  Shake the expressed juice, with an equal part of alcohol by weight, allow it to stand eight days in a well stoppered bottle, in a dark cool place and then filter.

Diseases, Dose, etc.—­Use freely on clean linen or gauze on wounds, cuts, etc.

Milkweed. Also called Silkweed.  Asclepias Syriaca.

Internally, used for.—­Dropsy, retention of urine, scrofulous and rheumatic troubles.

Part used.—­Root.  Plant gives out a milky juice when wounded.

Gather.—­In autumn.

Flowers (when).—­July and August.

Grows (where).—­Common in United States and grows in sandy fields, on the roadsides and on bank of streams.

Prepared (how).—­Powder, decoction and tincture.  Decoction is made by using three ounces of the root to one quart of water, and boil.