The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1878-02-02
Cider as a Medicine.

That this beverage has wrought some
remarkable cures, is susceptible of the
most positive proof. Its hourly, or even
daily use as the most common drink is
not what here refer to, but its use in
certain cases of debility, arrangement of
the liver, and chronic diarrhea, has, in
many cases, had most marked effect
Especially in the long lingering debility
that follows intermittent and remittent
fevers, has it been used with decided cue
cess 1t has even been said that good
health depends mainly, SO far as what is
taken into the stomach is concerned, in
the proper supply of acids and alkalies
The acids Of cider are mainly malic, but /
have good authority for saying that it con-
tains tactic, which is the acid of milk. 1t
is at least singular coincidence that some
perceive the same effect upon digestion
from cider and milk The writer was wit
ness to the cure of case Of the most OBJ
stinate chronic diarrhea, effected in one
day by pint of hard cider administered
in two doses, while another sudden and vi
olent attack in another person, was cured
the same day by small dose of bi-carbon-
ate of soda. Two other cases of remarka-
BILE cures from cider l will relate. Mrs.
H., as reported to me by herself, had lin
gering cough with loss of appetite, aud a
general decline, and was supposed by her
self and friends to be rapidly approaching
her end, with consumption. On a visit to
har f,tbar che ga,r b;r, ao,,.o g., al II
lar with pitcher of cider, and asked for a
drink, which had so good an effect that she
continued its use for few weeks, in which
time she fully recovered. This aad the
following were doubtless cases of affections
of the liver.
Some Is years since, in my walk from
my residence to my place of business, /
met S. NJ, whom | knew to have lately
returned from the army. His countenance
showed bad condition of the liver, his
gait showed great debility, and I looked
forward to the day when should meet
him no more. In answer to my inquiries,
he said he had been treated by several ply
sicians without benefit | advised him
(uot professionally, oh, no D-try some
hard cider, but to be very cautious, for l
thought he was far gone. Meeting him
two days after, and asking him of the fe-
feet of his new medicine, he replied, "First-
rate | drank full glass Of what you
brought me with a keen relish, went to bed
and slept soundly all night, thing have
not done before for months" He then
told me that his case was one of chronic
diarrhea, contracted in the army. | had
the satisfaction of seeing him fat and
hearty in a few weeks, and of hearing that
his physician said to him, at was the cider
that cured you; had done all l could for
you" 1t is not claimed that either this
remedy or alkalies will be effectual in all
cases. Acids in the stomach are necessary
to healthy digestion, and when the food for
a long time has failed to supply them or
;he stomach from disease, has failed to sup
ply them direct in the food or beverage. In
these eases the appetite is very good guide
if not depraved with bad habits. If a little
soda is swallowed and it effervesees and
causes an escape of gas from the mouth, it
is pretty good evidence that acids are not
required. If no gas escapes, it is at least
strong hint that acids may do good
S. r. Peek.