South Branch intelligencer. [volume] (Romney, Va. [W. Va.]) 1830-1896, 1873-02-07


VoICE."-Dr. John w. Corsou, of Orange,
n. j communicates to the Medical Re-
card Of January ] a valuable paper on "Bo-
rax and Nitrate Of Potass, in the loss of
Voice from Colds in Public Speakers and
Singers" DIR. Corson says that some years
ago, while in charge Of tho class of obs
eOses of the Throat and Chest" in connoc-
ton with the New York Dispenssry, ut the
suggestion Of a non profess ionsl friend en-
gagged in teaching elocutioD, no was led to
test the efficacy Of borAx, or the biborate of
soda, in many cases of sudden hoarsencEs
from cold, which ho at once found in mild
attacks acted like magic. Ten minutes
before any continuous effort at speaking or
singing, n lump of borax tho size Of & gar
den-pea, or about threeor four grains, Is 80
be held in the mouth till il is slowly dis
solved and partially swallowed-distillinR
as it were, down the throat For az hour
or so it frequently renders tho voice quite
silvery and clear. For this purpose it pos
sesscd three special advantages. II is ca
silly Obtained, convenient to carry 10 the
vest pocket, and perfectly harmless. Bo-
rax thus used, as ono may readily prove,
stimulates the secretion Of saliva and makes
fusely. DR. Corson is careful not to claim
too much for borax, and he remarks that
neither in chronic affections Of the throat,
nor in acute Illumination, nor in "tonsih-
It's" once established, has be foaud bo5sx
of any special efficacy as n curative.
The use Of the other remedy above named, nj
trais Of potass, is thus introduced
/ 'An early friend and patient of ours,
since deceased, a New York ock-builder,
much exposed to the weather, claimed 10
have secret remedy for colds But no
was too generous to bury anything useful
a length be confessed that 1t consisted in
covering up warmly in bed, drinking .
I glass Of water, and sucking piece Of the
nitrate OF potass-or saItpetye, rs be prefer.
red to call 1.-THE size Of garden pea or
little larger, till il was slowly dissolved
and swallowed. We think we improve his
| prescription by sweetening the water TO
cover the maWkish taste Of The saltpetre,
mixing them, aud swallowing them both
/ together. We also increase the dose from
gratifying personal experience, TO fvo
/ grains. AS a courtesy from our profession
to ciergymtn and singers, We may suggest
that they will hnd Il very convenient in
travelling to carry a few fvo-graiu pow
deTs Of the nitrate Of potass, prepared by
the druggists for ready use. Like the bo-
rsz, IL relieves the drynoss q the vocal
cords. Is is also easily obtained ia every
household, sod, taken 10 tho dose recon-
msndcd, is quite harmless With the help
Of the extra clothing and tho glass Of wa
ter 1t ezcItes for whole night gentle
PeTsPiraiion, and thus, If taken st the very
commencement, breaks up tbe cold II ac-
composites this as 30 warm foot-batbs,
With bot teas or Turkish or Russian baths,
# used early, ~ opening those millions Of
pores Of tbs skin which Erasmus Wilson
counted through his microscope. As the
aching, the WEAKNESS, and tho headache o.
q severe cod tells a., The blood is slightly
poisoned by suppressed perspirati0n Add
The simple lesson Of cure is promptly 10 o.
pen these pores. We Nay sdd that the
efficacy Of any Of these remedies il much
increased BY putIiDg % . warm shawl or
greatooat and throwing the arms about and
waking tbs floor rapidly ell the hands and
fee, are 10 perfect glow before retiring
10 bed.