Internally.—­This is a very good remedy to cure scurvy.  It is a constant companion of sea-goers and scurvy is seldom seen when the regulation ration of lemon-juice is used regularly.  It also cures the scurvy skin trouble or the form of muscular pains felt in scurvy.

Chronic Rheumatism.—­In some cases several ounces of lemon-juice administered daily affords marked relief, and it is also sometimes useful in acute rheumatism.  Lemonade is a useful drink during convalescence, as it increases the urine and reduces its acidity.

Hot lemonade is useful as a sweating agent to break up colds in their beginning.  It satisfies the thirst and is very grateful to a stomach that is not normal.  It makes a very pleasant drink in many cases of sickness.

Onion (Allium Cepa).—­It is supposed that the onion is a native of Hungary.  It is now found over the whole civilized world.  It contains a white, acrid, volatile oil holding sulphur in solution, albumen, much uncrystallizable sugar and mucilage, phosphoric acid both free and combined with lime, citrate of lime.  The Spanish onion contains a large proportion of sulphur and thus may be satisfactorily used in those cases where sulphur is needed.  The action of the volatile oil enhances that of sulphur.  Spanish onion boiled and eaten freely at bed-time is an excellent laxative.  Moderately used the onion increases the appetite, promotes digestion, but in large quantities it causes flatulence, uneasiness in the stomach and bowels.  The juice mixed with sugar is useful in cough, colds, and croup where there is little inflammation.  Roasted or split it is excellent as a local application in croup, tonsilitis and earache.  Boiling deprives the onion of its essential oil.

[670 Mothers’ remedies]

Soda (Bicarbonate of Soda).—­Uses.  It is used in stomach fermentation and in sick headaches arising from this condition.  Useful in acidity of the stomach.  Good for gas in the stomach.  It is good as a local application to enlarged acute tonsils applied in powder.  It is also used in preparing different articles of food.  The best to get is the bicarbonate of soda at a drug store.

Sulphur.—­This is an important constituent in certain native mineral waters.  On the bowels it acts as a mild laxative.  It is very good in certain skin diseases and for itch in the form of an ointment it is often used.  It is useful in chronic acne, and for lice, itch, barber’s itch, etc.  It is frequently used as a disinfectant after infectious diseases.  Burning sulphur in a room destroys bed-bugs, chicken lice, etc.

Turpentine (Terebinthina).—­Uses.  It is a valuable counter-irritant in peritonitis, bronchitis, pneumonia, lumbago, pleurodynia, etc.  Turpentine stupes are frequently used in abdominal inflammation, for flatulence and for bloating in typhoid fever.  It is a valuable constituent of a great many liniments.  Used in excess it produces bloody urine, painful urination and inflammation of the kidneys.  The free use of barley water, hot bath and purgative relieve its bad effects.