The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1873-01-13

HoARSESEsS--A CURE FOR "LOSS OF
VolCE."--Dr. John w. Corson, of Orange,
y. D., communicates to the Medical Record
of January 1 Il valuable paper on "BoraX
and Nitrate Of P0tass, in the Loss Of Voice
from Colds in Public Speakers and Singers"
DR.. COrson says that some years ago, while
in charge Of the class Of "DiSeascs Of the
Throat and Chest" in connection with the
New York DiSpensarv, at tile suggestion OF
a non-proiessional friend engaged in teach
ing elocution, he was led to test the efficacy OF
boraX, or the biboratc of soda. in many cases
OF sudden hosrscrcSs from cold, which he at
once found in mild attacks acted like magic.
Ten minutes before any continuous effort st
speaking or singing, lump of boraX the size
of q gardon-pca, Or about three or four
grains, is to be held i'll the mouth till it is
slowly dissolved and partially swallowed
diStiIling, as it were, down the throat. For
III hour Or so it frequently renders the voice
quite Sjlvery and clear. For This purpose it
possessed three special advantages. 1t is
easily obtained, convenient to carry in the
vest pocket, ard perfectly harmless. BoraX
thus used, as one may readily prove, stimu-
iates the secretion Of saliva and makes the
whole mouth and throat "watoc profllsely.
DR.. Corson is careful not to claim too much
for borax, and lie remarks that neither in
chronic affections of the throat, nor in acute
inflammation, NORM "tonsillitis," once eStab-
lishcd, has he found boraX of any special
efficacy rs Curative.
The use OF the other remedy above named,
"nitrate of potass," is thus introduced:
AN early friend and patient OF ours, since
deceased, a New York dock-builder, much
exposed to the weather, claimed to have O
secret remedy for colds But he was too
generous to bury anything useful. At length
he confessed that it consisted in covering up
warmly in bed, drinking glass OF water,
and sucking piece of the nitrate of potaSs--
or Saitpstre, as he preferred to call 1.-THE
size of q garden-pea or little larger, till it
was slowly dissolved and swallowed. We
think we improve his prescription by sweet.
ening the water to cover the mawXish taste
of the saltpetre, mixing them, and swallow
ing them both together. We also increase
the dose, from gratifying personal eXpe-
rience, to five grains. AS n courtesy from
our profession to clcrgymen and singers, we
may suggest that they will find it very CON
yenient in travelling to carry few five
grain powders Of the nitrate of potass, pre-.
pared by the druggists for ready use. Like
the boraX, 1t relieves the dryneSs Of the
vocal cords. 1t is also easily obtained
in every household, and, taken in
the dose recommended, is quite harmless.
with the help of the extra clothing and the
glass Of water it eXcites for whole night a
gentle perspiration, and thus, if taken at the
very commencement, breaks up the cold.
1t accompishes this as do warm foot-baths,
with hot teas or Turkish OF Russian baths,
if used early, by opening those millions OF
nores of the skin which Erasmus Wilson
counted through his microscope. AS the
aching, the WEAKNESS, aud the headache Of
severe cold tell US, the blood is slightly
poisoned by suppressed perspiration. And
the simple lesson of cnre is promptly to open
these pores. We may add that the efficacy
of any of these remedies is much increased
by putting on warm shawl or greatcoat
and throwing the arms about and walking
the floor rapidly till the hands and feet are
in perfect glow before retiring to bed.'